Texas Crime Victims’ Compensation may help an eligible survivor pay for counseling related to a crime. It is a state-administered assistance program, with its own application and payment rules. A clergy abuse survivor should ask about eligibility, the date of the abuse, insurance and the proposed provider before relying on reimbursement.
Information below was checked against Texas Attorney General guidance on November 5, 2026. This page cannot determine whether a particular claim qualifies. Asking about assistance does not commit you to pursuing a civil lawsuit.
What the program can help pay for
The Attorney General lists counseling among the program's covered crime-related expenses. It does not pay damages for pain, suffering or emotional distress. Payment for treatment and a civil claim seeking damages are different matters; do not use a possible lawsuit settlement as a budget for care that you need now.
For mental health care, treatment must meet the program's requirements and relate directly to the crime injury. The mental health expense guidance describes eligible professionals, insurance requirements and documentation. Approval of an application does not mean every bill or provider will be covered.
Older abuse needs an individual eligibility check
The official eligibility page lists sexual assault and child abuse among covered crimes. It generally calls for an application within three years, while recognizing good-cause and age- or circumstance-related exceptions. That is a program application rule, not the deadline for suing a person or institution.
For abuse that happened years ago, ask the program or a qualified victim advocate which exceptions and documentation may apply. Do not assume that a general deadline summary settles your situation. Nor should anyone promise that an exception will be granted.
General CVC eligibility includes reporting to law enforcement and cooperation requirements. The Attorney General identifies separate rules for sexual assault Emergency Medical Care, including no law-enforcement reporting requirement for that benefit. Do not assume that the emergency-care exception applies to ongoing counseling. An advocate can explain these distinctions without deciding for you whether to report.
Questions to ask before scheduling around a benefit
A short call with the program and the provider's billing office can clarify different parts of the process. You might ask:
- Does the date of the crime change my benefit limits?
- Is this clinician eligible to bill the program, and are they in my insurance network?
- What amount would I owe while the application or bill is being reviewed?
- Does this appointment type need additional approval or documentation?
- Who submits bills, and how will I learn if a payment is denied?
- What information about my care is shared for payment review?
The current mental health page lists up to 60 sessions for crimes after August 31, 2014, with different limits potentially applying to earlier crimes. It also explains that CVC is a payer of last resort, so available insurance and other resources must be addressed first. Confirm your own applicable limits; the number is not a guaranteed treatment allowance.
You can evaluate clinical fit separately from billing. Our therapist-selection guide includes questions about experience, approach and your preferences concerning faith.
Starting an application without every bill
The official application guide says you do not need every document or bill before applying. The application is free, and a lawyer is not required. It offers an online portal and paper forms.
Before entering sensitive information, check that you reached the official state site through that guide. If you use a shared device or receive mail at a shared address, ask the program about available communication arrangements and their limits. Avoid assuming that all notices will be private simply because an application was submitted online.
Keep the application confirmation, claim number and requests for more information together. For counseling bills, the agency lists itemized bills, paid receipts and insurance explanations of benefits as useful payment records. Ask the billing office which records it sends and which you need to supply.
If this program is not a fit
A denial or an eligibility question is not a judgment about the harm you experienced. Ask for the written reason and any review options and deadlines. You can also ask a local sexual assault service provider or prospective therapist about other funding arrangements, reduced fees or referrals; availability varies.
For CVC questions, the Attorney General lists 800-983-9933, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central. If you also have a civil lawyer, tell them about benefits or other payments and ask how the different processes interact. You do not have to solve those interactions alone.
Sources checked November 5, 2026
Texas Office of the Attorney General: eligibility, covered costs, mental health expenses and application instructions. Benefit rules and an individual's eligibility should be confirmed with the program.
General information, not legal or clinical advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Legal options and deadlines depend on the facts and jurisdiction.