Frequently Asked Questions

The amount of AEAP funding awarded is decided on a case-by-case basis considering factors such as the availability of other resources (including Victims of Crime Act formula grant dollars); the severity of the impact; and the number of people suffering from physical, emotional, and psychological injury. Requests for funding must identify all other federal and nonfederal contributions (cash or in-kind).

If amounts awarded are not expended by the end of the grant period, they must be returned to OVC for deobligation.

OVC will conduct a thorough review of each AEAP application; however, due to the unique nature of each incident and the complex nature of the application and the application review process, OVC cannot provide a specific timeframe. OVC is aware of the critical role AEAP funding can provide to communities and will work as quickly and efficiently as possible in its review of every application. Applicants will be notified as soon as possible after the review process has been completed.

You can direct questions to the OVC Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program by—

• emailing [email protected]; 
• calling the main OVC number (800-363-0441 or 202-307-5983) and asking to be directed to someone who can assist you; or
• mailing questions to the following address:
  
  Office for Victims of Crime
  Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program
  999 North Capitol Street, NE
  Washington, DC 20531

Individuals are not eligible to apply for AEAP, but U.S. citizens who have suffered direct physical or emotional injury from an act of terrorism occurring outside the United States, and family members of U.S. citizens killed by such an act, are eligible to apply for financial reimbursement for qualifying expenses through ITVERP. Qualifying expenses include medical expenses; mental health care costs; property loss, repair, or replacement; and funeral and burial costs.

For further information about ITVERP, visit the ITVERP website.

Select OVC publications and products are available to order. Contact our Response Center for assistance.

• Phone: 800-851-3420 or 202-772-1022
• TTY: 202-353-5556
• Email: [email protected]

Persons who have been subjected to a “severe form of trafficking in persons,” as defined in 22 U.S.C. § 7102(11).

An individual does not need to currently be in a trafficking situation to be eligible for victim services, or have recently exited their trafficking situation. Grantees should remove barriers that prevent individuals currently experiencing trafficking from accessing services, such as policies related to sobriety, engagement in commercial sex, etc. 

OVC acknowledges that the amount of time and the process for determining if a person meets the definition of a victim of human trafficking may differ for every client and situation. OVC considers an individual to be a “potential” when the grantee has reason to believe that the person is or might be a trafficking victim and is providing support or services tailored to that individual. This may occur at an initial intake or screening interview, or upon completion of victim needs assessment.

When the information needed to determine eligibility is not immediately available, and the person is not clearly ineligible, a grantee may use OVC funds for a reasonable period of time to provide services until sufficient information to make a determination has been gathered and a determination has been made. If the client is not eligible, they should be referred to other appropriate services and providers.

Your notice of funding opportunity will outline client eligibility and any specific age range limitations, if any exist.

Yes. OVC encourages grantees to coordinate their efforts with other similar OVC-direct funded human trafficking programs within the relevant jurisdiction to enhance the projects and avoid duplication of efforts. Grantees are expected to work together to determine whether OVC discretionary award funds have been, are being, or are to be used (in whole or in part) for one or more of the identical services for the same person or family member (cost items) included in the each of their grant award budgets.

If duplicative costs and services are identified, each grantee must notify their OVC grant manager(s) in writing of the potential duplication and, if requested by OVC, submit a Financial or Programmatic GAM to eliminate any inappropriate duplication of funding.

Yes. As long as there is no duplication in costs or activities, OVC funds may be used to provide services to a client who is already receiving services through another federal funding stream. For example, an OVC grantee could provide legal services to an individual client receiving housing services funded through a different federal award. However, please consult requirements for other funding sources, as they may differ.

Please refer to the notice of funding opportunity your award was funded under for program-specific requirements.

Human trafficking is a crime that impacts not only the victim, but also the victim’s family. Providers must work with each client to understand his or her individual situation and develop appropriate goals regarding family members. Grant funds for services are intended primarily to support the cost of direct services for victims of human trafficking. Where the services for family members are directly related to promoting justice and healing for trafficking survivors, they are potentially allowable.

Every effort must be made to refer family members to other free and low-cost services, and to assist them in accessing federal, state, or local programs for which they may be eligible, including Medicaid, TANF, subsidized or transitional housing programs, schools, and workforce development and employment programs. Please contact your grant manager with specific questions related to using grant-funding for services for family members.

Per OVC’s human trafficking victim assistance performance measures, the definition of an eligible family member is: A related family member of the principal individual that receives services under the given grant. These individuals are not counted as the principal individual clients for the purpose of reports, and services incurred will be counted separately. For minors, eligible family members may include parents, spouse, children, and unmarried siblings under 21. For adults, eligible family members include spouse and children.