The Ministry of the Attorney General’s Victim Quick Response Program (VQRP) provides quick assistance to victims of homicide, attempted murder, serious physical assault, domestic violence, sexual assault and hate crime in the immediate aftermath of a crime.

Available in over 50 communities across Ontario, the program provides eligible victims with financial assistance for funeral expenses, emergency expenses, crime scene cleanup and short-term, early intervention counselling.

This section provides an overview of the program and its eligibility criteria. For more detailed information, please download the Information Booklet.

Who is eligible for the VQRP?

If each of the following applies to you, you may be eligible for VQRP assistance:

• I am requesting emergency, crime scene cleanup and/or funeral expenses no later than 45 calendar days after the date of the crime, or counselling services and related transportation costs, no later than 90 calendar days after the date of the crime.
• I am a victim of a violent Criminal Code offence that occurred in Ontario, and I have not been charged as a result of the crime.
• I have no other financial resources to assist me with funeral expenses; and/or emergency expenses; and/or crime scene cleanup, and/or short-term counselling services.

If I am eligible, how do I apply?

The police or community organization to which you reported the crime will refer you to a local VQRP service delivery organization – most are agencies that deliver Victim Crisis Assistance and Referral Services. These organizations will help you understand the eligibility requirements, complete forms and identify local support services.

Please note that you must report a violent Criminal Code offence to a police service in the province of Ontario within the required timeframe (see eligibility criteria above). Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or hate crimes may report the crime to a domestic violence shelter, sexual assault centre, hospital or other community agency providing services to victims in Ontario.

How much am I eligible for?

Expense	Details	Maximum
Funeral	Provided to families of homicide victims	$5,000
Counselling	Immediate and culturally appropriate short-term counselling to help reduce the impact of the crime Options for group counselling/healing circles, transportation for victims living in rural/remote areas and accommodations for victims with disabilities are also available	Approximately ten sessions or $1,000
Cleanup	Crime scene cleanup requiring specialized services	$1,500
Emergency	Emergency home repairs to secure premises for the immediate safety of victims Emergency accommodation and meals where there are no secure housing options available Transportation and emergency child/dependent care costs to identify a homicide victim or support a seriously injured relative.	Combined maximum of $1,000 per occurrence

How long will it take to approve my application?

Our goal is to process emergency funding and funeral expense requests within three business days of receiving the request. Counselling service requests will be processed within five business days of receiving the request.

Who can I contact for more information?

For more detailed information, please download the Information Booklet, or call the Victim Support Line, at toll-free at 1-888-579-2888, or in the Greater Toronto Area, 416-314-2447, to find the Victim Quick Response Program service provider nearest you.