FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 18, 2024
SACRAMENTO — Seven years ago, hundreds of Californians were killed or injured in the Route 91 Harvest Festival mass shooting in Las Vegas. The California Victim Compensation Board stands with survivors and reminds victims and their families that the deadline to apply for victim compensation is October 1, 2024.
Who may qualify for financial reimbursement:
- Anyone who witnessed the shooting, was injured by gunfire, was hurt during their escape; or
- Family members of those who died as a result of the shooting
Compensation types include:
- Mental health treatment,
- Medical costs,
- Income loss, or
- Funeral and burial expenses.
To receive the funds, victims must have resided in California on October 1, 2017, and must submit a completed application by October 1, 2024.
“We empathize with the victims of the attack seven years ago and want to ensure they receive financial assistance to help with their recovery,” said CalVCB Executive Officer Lynda Gledhill. “Victims should apply even if they have insurance or other payment sources because compensation is a lifelong benefit. If a victim does not need the financial support now, they may in the future.”
Of the nearly 24,000 festival attendees, approximately 65 percent were from California.
As of August 31, CalVCB has administered more than $6.4 million in compensation to 3,484 victims of the Harvest Festival attack. Approved applicants may receive up to $70,000 in compensation benefits. The biggest payment category is income and support loss, followed by mental health treatment, and medical compensation.
At the time of the Harvest Festival attack, the deadline to apply for compensation was three years from the date of the crime. However, as of January 1, 2020, victims of all violent crimes now have seven years from the date of the crime to file. Victims who were minors at the time of the shooting have until the age of 28 to apply.
Victims can apply online or through a Victim Witness Assistance Center (VWAC) in their county.
Additional services are available on CalVCB’s website.
CalVCB continues to partner with Give An Hour to help support victims of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting.
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The California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) provides reimbursement for crime-related expenses to victims who suffer physical injury or the threat of physical injury as a result of violent crime. CalVCB helps crime victims and their families cover unforeseen expenses such as medical bills, mental health treatment, funeral and burial expenses, income loss and more. To learn more about CalVCB, visit victims.ca.gov.