Opferentschädigung

If you have suffered damage to your health through no fault of your own as a result of an act of violence, you can receive benefits under the Act on Compensation for Victims of Violent Crimes (OEG). The benefits are granted in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Victims' Compensation Act and essentially include medical treatment and sickness treatment, pensions for injured persons and surviving dependants and war victims' welfare benefits.

Compensation for pain and suffering is not paid. Material damage and financial losses are not compensated.

• if the application is submitted in writing: Birth certificate

• if the application is submitted in person: identity card or passport

• Confirmation of registration

• Proof of citizenship (if not German citizenship)

• for non-EU applicants: proof of legal residence

• Any medical documents in your possession (e.g..medical reports)

• Power of attorney, guardian's certificate or certificate of appointment, if applicable

There are no fees.

The insurancebenefits begin at the earliest when the injury occurs, if the application is submitted within one year of the crime. It is therefore advisable to submit the application immediately.

Further information can be found on the following pages:

Responsibility lies with the branch office of the State Office for Social Affairs, Youth and Family that is responsible for your place of residence. The prerequisite is that the injury occurred within Lower Saxony.

If there is no place of residence in Lower Saxony, jurisdiction is based on the place of the crime. If the injury occurred outside Lower Saxony, the compensation authorities of the respective federal state are responsible.

An informal application to the branch office of the State Office for Social Affairs, Youth and Family is also sufficient.

However, the application is also accepted by all other social benefit providers (e.g. health insurance companies) and all municipalities.