Guide for families
Wisconsin crime victim compensation for cleanup
Up to $1,000 for crime scene cleanup through the Wisconsin DOJ. Who qualifies and how to apply.
- Racine-based techs
- 15-20 min arrival
- IICRC certified
- No money up front
Quick answerWisconsin’s Crime Victim Compensation program, run by the Department of Justice, lists up to $1,000 for securing and cleaning a crime scene. The crime generally must be reported to police within 5 days and the claim filed within a year. Insurance is used first. Call 1-800-446-6564. Reviewed by Devonte, who leads our Racine team · Updated November 2026.
The program
What it covers
The Wisconsin DOJ’s Office of Crime Victim Services runs the program. It can help pay for crime scene cleanup, along with medical, counseling and funeral costs, for innocent victims of violent crime.
It pays after insurance and other sources, and it has limits for each kind of expense.
Techs on standby now
Need help now?
A real person answers. A tech can be with you in 15 to 20 minutes around Racine, and nothing starts until you approve it.
- A local tech at your door in 15-20 minutes
- Scope of work approved by you before we start
- No money up front. We help with insurance and victim programs
How to apply
Steps and deadlines
Report the crime to police promptly (the program generally requires within 5 days) and cooperate with the investigation. File the application within a year of the crime.
We’ll give you the documents you need from the cleanup, like the scope, photos and invoice, and wait for payment while the claim is processed.
Who qualifies
Eligibility in plain terms
The program is for innocent victims of violent crime in Wisconsin and, in some cases, their families. The crime generally has to be reported to law enforcement and the victim has to cooperate with the investigation. The Department of Justice decides each case.
If you’re not sure whether you qualify, ask a victim advocate. Police departments and district attorney’s offices in Racine and Kenosha Counties have victim/witness staff who can help you apply.
What we provide
The paperwork from our side
Compensation programs want to see what was done and what it cost. We provide the written scope, before and after photos, and an itemized invoice that separates cleanup from repairs.
Because the program pays after insurance, we usually file with your insurer first. If insurance doesn’t cover the full cleanup, the program may help with the rest, up to its limit.
Timing
How long it takes
Compensation claims take time to process. We don’t make families wait for the cleanup while the claim is reviewed, and we don’t ask for money up front.
Keep copies of everything: the police report number, your application, and our documents. If the program asks for more information, we’ll help you get it.
FAQ
Common questions
Victims of violent crime in Wisconsin and certain family members. The DOJ decides eligibility.
The program lists up to $1,000 for crime scene cleanup.
Not with us. We never ask for money up front.
Wisconsin DOJ, Crime Victim Compensation: 1-800-446-6564.
Sources we checked (reviewed November 2026)
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