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Victim Support Act¹

Passed 17.12.2003
RT I 2004, 2, 3
Date of entry into force pursuant to § 35.

Amended by the following legal instruments (show)

Chapter 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS  

§ 1.  Scope of application of Act

 (1) This Act provides the bases for state organisation of victim support, organisation of conciliation service, compensation for the cost of the psychological care paid within the framework of provision of victim support services and the procedure for payment of state compensation to victims of crime (hereinafter compensation).

 (2) This Act prescribes the persons who are entitled to victim support services, compensation for the cost of psychological care and state compensation, and the conditions of and procedure for application for, determination and payment of the specified compensations, as well as the procedure for the provision of conciliation service.
[RT I 2007, 11, 51 - entry into force 18.02.2007]

§ 2.  Application of Administrative Procedure Act

  The provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act apply to the administrative proceedings prescribed in this Act, taking account of the specifications provided for in this Act.

§ 2¹.  Payment of compensation paid on the basis of this Act

  The compensation paid on the basis of this Act is paid as requested by the recipient of the compensation into the bank account of the recipient of the compensation or on the basis of a written application of the recipient of the compensation prepared at the Social Insurance Board or a notarised application into the bank account of a third party in Estonia or into the bank account of the recipient of the compensation in a foreign state, whereas in the latter case the recipient of the compensation shall pay the fees charged by its payment service provider.
[RT I, 06.12.2012, 1 - entry into force 01.01.2013]

Chapter 2 VICTIM SUPPORT SERVICES  

§ 3.  Victim support services

 (1) For the purposes of this Act, a victim support service is a public service aiming at maintaining or enhancing the ability to cope of persons who have fallen victim to negligence, mistreatment or physical, mental or sexual abuse.

 (2) Victim support services consist of providing counselling and assistance to victims in communicating with state and local government authorities and legal persons.

 (3) [Repealed - RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

 (4) Victim support services are provided in every county of Estonia. Information concerning the possibilities of using the victim support service shall be available at local government, police, rescue, health care and social welfare and other relevant authorities.
[RT I 2008, 56, 313 - entry into force 01.01.2009]

§ 4.  Provision of victim support services

 (1) The provision of victim support services shall be ensured by the Social Insurance Board in accordance with the principle of regionality.

 (2) The Social Insurance Board shall co-operate with state and local government authorities and legal persons in providing victim support services, involve and supervise victim support volunteers and organise training for such volunteers.
[RT I 2005, 29, 212 - entry into force 05.06.2005]

§ 5.  Transfer of duty to provide victim support services

 (1) The Social Insurance Board may transfer the provision of victim support services to a legal person or local government (hereinafter provider of victim support services) in part or in whole by a contract under public law.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

 (2) An administration contract specified in subsection (1) of this section is entered into under the conditions and pursuant to the procedure provided for in the Administrative Co-operation Act, without applying subsections 5 (2) and (3) of the specified Act.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

 (3) A natural person providing victim support services through a provider of victim support services must have higher education and the moral character required for victim support work.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

 (4) The Social Insurance Board shall verify the suitability of a natural person specified in subsection (3) of this section for victim support work and grant the relevant consent or refuse to grant consent within three weeks after the person has submitted his or her curriculum vitae to the Social Insurance Board. Refusal to grant consent shall be reasoned.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

 (5) The Social Insurance Board shall exercise state supervision over the provider of victim support services.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

§ 6.  Victim support volunteers

 (1) Victim support volunteers (hereinafter volunteers) are persons who participate in the provision of victim support services in their free time without receiving remuneration under the supervision of an official of the Social Insurance Board who provides victim support services or a person specified in subsection 5 (3) of this Act.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

 (2) Persons who meet the following requirements may act as volunteers:
 1) he or she is a permanent resident of Estonia of at least 18 years of age;
 2) he or she has the personal characteristics required for victim support work;
 3) he or she is not a grandparent, parent, brother, sister, child or grandchild, spouse or cohabitee of the official of the Social Insurance Board who provides victim support services and supervises him or her, or of a person specified in subsection 5 (3) of this Act, or a parent, brother, sister or child of the spouse or cohabitee;
 4) he or she has not been punished for a criminal offence or the information concerning his or her punishment has been expunged from the punishment register;
[RT I 2007, 11, 51 - entry into force 18.02.2007]
 5) his or her state of health allows performance of the duties of a volunteer.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

 (3) A volunteer shall confirm his or her compliance with the requirements provided for in section (2) of this Act by his or her signature.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

 (4) The Social Insurance Board shall decide granting of the right to operate as a volunteer on the basis of an application of a person which sets out his or her given name, surname, residence and telecommunications numbers and information concerning previous professional experience.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

 (5) The Social Insurance Board shall declare a decision made on the basis of subsection (4) of this section invalid if a volunteer so wishes or if he or she violates the obligations of volunteers, repeatedly and without good reason refuses to perform the duties assigned to him or her or proves unsuitable for victim support volunteer work in any other way.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

 (6) Volunteers shall be compensated for travel and telecommunications expenditure incurred in connection with victim support pursuant to the procedure and within the limits established by the Minister of Social Affairs.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

Chapter 2¹ COMPENSATION FOR COST OF PSYCHOLOGICAL CARE  
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

§ 6¹.  Conditions for payment of compensation for cost of psychological care

 (1) [RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

 (2) Within the framework of provision of victim support services, a victim of an offence which is not a crime of violence within the meaning of § 8 of this Act has the right to receive compensation for the cost of psychological care in an amount equal to up to one minimum monthly wage.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

 (3) Children, parents and grandparents and other family members specified in subsection 22 (2) of the Social Welfare Act of a victim of any offence are also entitled to the compensation specified in subsection (1) of this section if their ability to cope has decreased due to an offence committed with regard to the victim. Compensation shall be paid in an amount equal to up to one minimum monthly wage per family member however not more than in an amount equal to up to three times the minimum monthly wage per family.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

 (4) The persons specified in subsections (1) and (2) of this section may apply, within ten years as of the date on which the offence was committed, for compensation for the cost of psychological care for the use of the psychological counselling, psychotherapy or support group services. The cost of psychological care shall be compensated to the person who bore such cost.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

 (5) The cost of psychological care shall be compensated for if the provider of the specified care is a person who is registered as an health care professional with the Health Board or as a clinical psychologist or a school psychologist in the register of professions and who operates as a sole proprietor or who is in employment or law of obligation relationship with a sole proprietor or legal person holding an activity licence for providing specialised psychiatric care or whose activities as specified in the articles of association include provision of the psychological counselling, psychotherapy or support group services.
[RT I 2009, 49, 331 - entry into force 01.01.2010]

§ 6².  Procedure of compensation for cost of psychological care

 (1) The decision on compensation for the cost of psychological care shall be made and the compensation shall be paid by the Social Insurance Board.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

 (2) The decision to compensate for the cost of psychological care shall be based on the following:
 1) the relation of the offence committed with regard to the victim and the decline of the ability to cope of the applicant for compensation;
 2) the anticipated efficiency of the psychological care;
 3) the need of the person for other services.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

 (3) Provisions of Chapter 3 of this Act do not apply upon compensation for the cost of psychological care.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

 (4) The procedure for compensation of the cost of psychological care and the format of the application for compensation and the list of the required documents shall be established by the Minister of Social Affairs.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

 (5) A person who is refused compensation for the cost of psychological care has the right to file a challenge with the Social Insurance Board pursuant to the procedure provided for in the Administrative Procedure Act or an appeal with an administrative court pursuant to the procedure provided for in the Code of Administrative Court Procedure.
[RT I, 06.12.2012, 1 - entry into force 01.01.2013]

 (6) A challenge shall be resolved within 30 days after registration of the challenge by the Social Insurance Board.
[RT I, 06.12.2012, 1 - entry into force 01.01.2013]

Chapter 2² CONCILIATION SERVICE  
[RT I 2007, 11, 51 - entry into force 18.02.2007]

§ 6³.  Conciliation service

 (1) For the purposes of this Act, conciliation service is a public service which consists of organisation of the conciliation procedure provided for in § 203² of the Code of Criminal Procedure and monitoring of compliance with the requirements of a written agreement entered into as a result thereof.

 (2) Application of a sanction provided for in clause 3 (1) 4) of the Juvenile Sanctions Act is also deemed to be conciliation service.
[RT I 2007, 11, 51 - entry into force 18.02.2007]

§ 6⁴.  Provision of conciliation service

 (1) The provision of conciliation service shall be ensured by the Social Insurance Board in accordance with the principle of regionality.

 (2) The procedure for conducting conciliation service shall be established by the Government of the Republic.
[RT I 2007, 11, 51 - entry into force 18.02.2007]

Chapter 3 PAYMENT OF STATE COMPENSATION TO VICTIMS OF CRIME  

Division 1 Right to and Amount of Compensation  

§ 7.  Extent of compensation

 (1) Compensation shall be paid to victims of crimes of violence committed in the territory of the Republic of Estonia and to their dependants and to persons specified in subsection 9 (4) of this Act.

 (2) Compensation shall be paid to the victim of a crime of violence committed abroad if the victim is a permanent resident of Estonia or an Estonian citizen who does not reside permanently in Estonia and was abroad for reasons related to studies, employment or service duties or for other good reasons and if the victim is not entitled to similar compensation under the law of the country where the crime was committed. If the victim dies, compensation shall be paid to a dependant who was permanently residing in the Republic of Estonia at the time when the crime of violence was committed.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

§ 8.  Crime of violence

 (1) For the purposes of this Act, a crime of violence is an act committed against the life or health of a person which is punishable pursuant to criminal procedure and as a result of which the injured person:
 1) dies;
 2) sustains serious damage to his or her health;
 3) sustains a health disorder lasting for at least six months.

 (2) Action which is taken by an injured person or a third party to prevent a criminal offence, apprehend a criminal offender or assist a victim of crime and which results in one of the consequences specified in subsection (1) of this section is also deemed to be a crime of violence.

 (3) Acts specified in subsection (1) or (2) of this section are deemed to be crimes of violence even if:
 1) the offender is incapable of guilt;
 2) the offender has not been identified or apprehended or if the offender cannot be convicted for other reasons but the evidence collected with regard to the criminal matter suggests that a crime of violence has been committed.

§ 9.  Recipient of compensation

 (1) Estonian citizens who have suffered damage as a result of an act specified in subsection 8 (1) of this Act are entitled to receive compensation.

 (2) An alien is entitled to receive compensation under the conditions provided for in subsection (1) of this section if he or she:
 1) resides in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit or right of residence of a long-term resident or a temporary residence permit or right of residence;
 2) is a citizen of the European Union;
 3) is a citizen of a state which is a party to the European Convention on Compensation of Victims of Violent Crimes;
 4) is a person enjoying international protection staying in Estonia.

 (3) If a person specified in subsection (1) or (2) of this section (hereinafter victim) dies as a result of a crime of violence, his or her dependants are entitled to compensation. For the purposes of this Act, a dependant is a person:
 1) specified in section 20 of the State Pension Insurance Act;
 2) who has been conceived by the time the criminal offence is committed but who is born after the death of the victim.

 (4) A natural person who bears the expenses relating to the medical treatment or funeral of a victim has the right to be compensated for the expenses.
[RT I 2006, 26, 191 - entry into force 01.08.2006]

§ 10.  Bases for determining amount of compensation

 (1) The amount of compensation shall be determined on the basis of the following material damage caused by a crime of violence:
 1) damage arising from incapacity for work;
 2) expenses for the medical treatment of the victim;
 3) damage arising from the death of the victim;
 4) damage caused to spectacles, dentures, contact lenses and other appliances substituting for bodily functions and to clothes;
 5) the victim’s funeral expenses.

 (2) Any amounts which a victim or his or her dependant or a person specified in subsection 9 (4) of this Act (hereinafter applicant for compensation) receives or is entitled to receive as compensation for damage resulting from a crime of violence from a source other than the person liable for the damage caused by the crime shall be deducted from the damage serving as the basis for determining the amount of compensation. In determining the amount of the compensation, the compensation paid to the applicant by the person liable for the damage caused by the crime shall be taken into account to the extent of the amount paid before the determination of compensation on the basis of this Act.

 (3) The amount of compensation shall be 80 per cent of the material damage specified in clauses (1)–(4) of this subsection. The amount of compensation shall be rounded to the accuracy of one cent.
[RT I 2010, 22, 108 - entry into force 01.01.2011]

 (4) The procedure for calculating the amount of compensation shall be established by the Government of the Republic.

§ 11.  Damage arising from incapacity for work

 (1) Damage arising from incapacity for work is that part of income subject to social tax which is not received due to temporary or permanent incapacity for work arising as a result of a crime of violence.

 (2) Damage arising from incapacity for work shall be compensated for on the basis of average income per calendar day. The average income per calendar day shall be calculated by adding together the income subject to social tax calculated for the insured person during the six calendar months preceding the calendar month of the day on which the person is initially released from the performance of his or her duties according to his or her certificate of incapacity for work and dividing the result by the number of calendar days during the period (six months). The number of days for which the insured person is released from the performance of his or her duties according to a certificate of incapacity for work shall be deducted from the number of calendar days during the period (six months).

 (3) Compensation shall be calculated based on income subject to social tax received during the six months preceding the commission of the crime of violence for the following persons:
 1) employees, on the basis of an employment contract or a contract of service;
 2) persons specified in § 2 of the Public Service Act;
[RT I, 06.07.2012, 1 - entry into force 01.04.2013]
 3) members of the management and supervisory boards and other management bodies of legal persons;
 4) natural persons employed under a contract for services, an authorisation agreement or any other civil law contract.

 (4) For a person specified in clause (3) 1) or 2) of this section who did not receive any income subject to social tax during the six months preceding the commission of the crime of violence because his or her employment or service relationship was suspended, compensation shall be calculated based on income subject to social tax received by the person for the last month prior to the suspension of his or her employment or service relationship.

 (5) For sole proprietors, compensation shall be calculated based on the net income received during the calendar year (1 January to 31 December) preceding the commission of the crime of violence.

 (6) If income per calendar day is lower than the total of the minimum monthly wage established by the Government of the Republic divided by thirty, the average income per calendar day is deemed to be equal to the minimum monthly wage divided by thirty.

 (7) Compensation shall be paid to persons who are not working or are unemployed at the time of falling victim to a crime of violence only in the case of permanent incapacity for work. Compensation shall be calculated on the basis of average income per calendar day calculated by dividing the minimum monthly wage established by the Government of the Republic by thirty.
[RT I 2005, 22, 148 - entry into force 01.01.2006]

§ 12.  Expenses for medical treatment of victim

 (1) Expenses for the medical treatment of a victim are the essential expenses related to the medical treatment of the victim and acquisition of medicinal products and appliances substituting for bodily functions, alleviation of post-traumatic complications, teaching him or her a new speciality suitable for his or her state of health, and essential travel expenses related to the circumstances specified above.

 (2) Expenses relating to the use of the following services are also deemed to be expenses for the medical treatment of a victim:
 1) up to ten sessions of psychological counselling:
 2) up to fifteen sessions of psychotherapy.

 (3) Compensation for expenses for the medical treatment of a victim shall be paid to the person bearing the expenses.

§ 13.  Funeral expenses

  Compensation in the amount of 448 euros shall be paid to the person who bears the expenses relating to the funeral of a victim of a crime of violence.
[RT I 2010, 22, 108 - entry into force 01.01.2011]

§ 14.  Damage arising from death of victim

  The dependants of a victim who dies as a result of a crime of violence shall receive compensation based on the victim’s previous income calculated pursuant to § 11 of this Act as follows:
 1) 75 per cent of the income in the case of one dependant;
 2) 85 per cent in the case of two dependants;
 3) a total of 100 per cent in the case of three or more dependants.

Division 2 Procedure of Compensation  

§ 15.  Maximum amount of compensation

  The amount of compensation payable to one victim and all of his or her dependants on the basis of this Act shall not exceed 9590 euros.
[RT I 2010, 22, 108 - entry into force 01.01.2011]

§ 16.  Circumstances precluding payment of compensation

 (1) Compensation shall not be paid if:
 1) the victim caused or facilitated the commission of the crime or the occurrence of the damage by his or her intentional or reckless behaviour;
 2) the victim fails to give notice of the crime within fifteen days, although he or she would have been capable of doing so, and the police have not become aware of the crime in any other way;
 3) the victim has been convicted of the commission of a crime of violence or on the basis of subsection 255 (1) or 256 (1) of the Penal Code and information concerning his or her punishment has not been deleted from the punishment register pursuant to the Punishment Register Act;
 4) payment of compensation would be unfair or unjustified for other reasons.

 (2) Compensation shall not be paid to a dependant if circumstances specified in clauses (1) 1)–4) of this section were present in his or her behaviour.

 (3) Regardless of the circumstances specified in subsection (1) of this section, compensation may be paid to a dependant whose monthly income is below the subsistence level established by the Government of the Republic on the basis of the minimum consumption expenditure.

 (4) Payment of compensation may be refused if the applicant for compensation has refused to co-operate with the law enforcement authorities in ascertaining the facts relating to the criminal offence, identifying or apprehending the criminal offender or proving the damages.

§ 17.  Method of compensation for damage

 (1) In the event of damage arising from incapacity for work or loss of maintenance provider, amounts which were not received until the making of the decision to grant compensation shall be paid as a single payment and, as of the month following the making of the decision to grant compensation, periodically:
 1) until the victim’s capacity for work is restored, the victim acquires a new speciality by way of re-training, or the victim dies;
 2) until the dependant meets the conditions to be granted compensation as prescribed in subsection 20 (3) or (5) of the State Pension Insurance Act.

 (2) In the case of compensation paid periodically, payments shall be made on a monthly basis unless otherwise prescribed by the decision to grant compensation.

 (3) Generally, dependants shall be determined joint compensation. A dependant’s portion of compensation may be separated from the joint compensation on the basis of a written application submitted by him or her.

 (4) The expenses for the medical treatment or funeral of a victim shall be compensated for by a single payment.

 (5) On the basis of a reasoned request from an applicant for compensation, compensation specified in subsection (1) of this section may be paid in instalments or as a single payment.

 (6) Compensation for expenses relating to the services specified in subsection 12 (2) of this Act may, by a decision of the Social Insurance Board, be paid to the body which provided the services to the applicant for compensation.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

Division 3 Determination of Compensation  

§ 18.  Determination of compensation

  The director of the Social Insurance Board shall determine compensation.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

§ 19.  Applying for compensation

 (1) An application for compensation (hereinafter application) shall be submitted to the Social Insurance Board within one year as of the commission of the crime or the date of death of the victim, except in the cases provided for in subsection (2) of this section.
[RT I, 06.12.2012, 1 - entry into force 01.01.2013]

 (2) An application submitted later shall be reviewed if:
 1) the dependant became aware of the death of the victim more than six months after the date of death and the application is submitted within one year as of the date of becoming aware of the death of the victim;
 2) the applicant for compensation sustained a health disorder which lasted longer than six months and timely submission of the application was not possible due to his or her state of health and if the corresponding application is submitted within one year as of his or her state of health improving.

 (3) An application shall set out information on the applicant for compensation, on the criminal offence and the damage caused and on whether compensation for the damage is received from other sources.

 (4) The form of an application for compensation and a list of the documents necessary shall be established by a regulation of the Minister of Social Affairs.
[RT I, 06.12.2012, 1 - entry into force 01.01.2013]

 (5) The format of the document setting out the information which is necessary for applying for compensation and which is to be submitted by a preliminary investigation authority shall be established by a regulation of the Minister of Internal Affairs.

 (6) In the application, the applicant for compensation shall indicate the amount of compensation applied for on the basis of medical documents, documents certifying income, documents certifying direct expenses incurred as a result of the crime of violence and documents certifying compensation received or to be received from other sources in connection with the same damage, and all such documents shall be appended to the application. The Social Insurance Board has the right to verify the information submitted by the applicant.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

 (7) The director of the Social Insurance Board has the right to refer the victim for a supplementary medical examination, the cost of which shall be included in the medical treatment expenses upon payment of compensation.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

§ 20.  Review of applications

 (1) Within thirty days as of the receipt of an application and the documents appended thereto, the director of the Social Insurance Board shall review the application and make a decision concerning the determination of or refusal to grant compensation.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

 (2) If a person fails to submit the required information or documents together with his or her application or if the application contains any other deficiencies, the Social Insurance Board shall notify the applicant for compensation of the deficiencies by post or by electronic means, grant a term of three months for elimination of the deficiencies and explain that, in the event of failure to eliminate the deficiencies within the term, the Social Insurance Board may make a decision based on the existing information.
[RT I 2007, 13, 69 - entry into force 15.03.2007]

§ 21.  Postponement of making of decision

 (1) The Social Insurance Board may postpone the making of a decision concerning the determination of compensation until a judgment is made by the county or city court if:
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]
 1) the applicant’s right to receive compensation from the person liable for the damage caused by the criminal offence is uncertain, or
 2) it is obvious that the person liable for the damage caused by the criminal offence agrees and is able to compensate for the damage caused by the criminal offence.

 (2) If an applicant’s right to receive compensation from a source other than the person liable for the damage caused by the criminal offence or the amount of the compensation is uncertain or disputable, the decision concerning payment of the compensation may be postponed until the right or amount has been conclusively established.

 (3) The Social Insurance Board shall immediately notify an applicant by post or by electronic means if the making of the decision is postponed.
[RT I, 06.12.2012, 1 - entry into force 01.01.2013]

 (4) If a decision concerning payment of compensation is postponed on the grounds specified in subsections (1) and (2) of this section, the Social Insurance Board shall decide to grant or to refuse to grant compensation within ten days as of the date on which he or she learns that the circumstances which caused the postponement of the decision have ceased to exist.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

§ 22.  Compensation paid in advance

 (1) If a decision concerning payment of compensation is postponed in the cases provided for in subsections 21 (1) and (2) of this Act, the Social Insurance Board has the right to make an advance payment on the basis of a request from the applicant for compensation if the applicant’s right to receive compensation is clear and if he or she is in a difficult economic situation.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

 (2) The amount of an advance payment shall not exceed 640 euros.
[RT I 2010, 22, 108 - entry into force 01.01.2011]

 (3) If an advance payment exceeds the amount of compensation determined, the overpaid amount shall be recovered in accordance with § 27 of this Act.

 (4) If compensation is refused, an advance payment may be recovered only if the payment was made as a result of corrupt practices by the applicant.

§ 23.  Communication of decisions

  A decision of the Social Insurance Board to grant or to refuse to grant compensation shall be communicated to the applicant for compensation by post or by electronic means within five working days as of the date on which the decision is made.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

§ 24.  Contestation of decisions

 (1) If an applicant for compensation does not agree with the decision of the Social Insurance Board, the applicant has the right to file a challenge with the Social Insurance Board pursuant to the procedure provided for in the Administrative Procedure Act or an appeal with an administrative court pursuant to the procedure provided for in the Code of Administrative Court Procedure.

 (2) A challenge shall be resolved within 30 days after registration of the challenge by the Social Insurance Board.
[RT I, 06.12.2012, 1 - entry into force 01.01.2013]

§ 25.  Entry of data in register

 (1) Data concerning the determination and payment of compensation to victims shall be entered in the state pension insurance register pursuant to the procedure established by the Government of the Republic.

 (2) The personal data of victims and data on the determination and payment of compensation to victims shall be processed in accordance with the Personal Data Protection Act.

§ 26.  Change in amount of compensation and termination of payment of compensation

 (1) A recipient of compensation is required to notify the Social Insurance Board of any grounds for reducing the amount of the compensation or terminating the payment of the compensation within fifteen days as of such grounds arising. A submitted notice shall be reviewed within ten days as of the receipt thereof.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

 (2) In the event of a change in the amount of a state benefit or any other payments, the Social Insurance Board shall make recalculations on its own initiative within ten days as of the date of entry into force of the change.
[RT I, 06.12.2012, 1 - entry into force 01.01.2013]

 (3) The amount of compensation shall be reduced or payment of compensation shall be terminated as of the month following the month in which the grounds for the reduction or termination arise.

 (4) The amount of compensation shall be increased as of the first day of the month following the submission of documents certifying the grounds for the increase.

 (5) At least once a year, the Social Insurance Board is required to review the amounts of compensation paid periodically.
[RT I, 06.12.2012, 1 - entry into force 01.01.2013]

 (6) In the case of compensation paid periodically, changes in prices and in the cost of living shall be taken into consideration pursuant to the procedure established by the Government of the Republic.

§ 27.  Recovery of overpaid amounts

 (1) Overpaid amounts of compensation shall be recovered from the recipient.

 (2) For reclamation of compensation, the Social Insurance Board shall issue a precept to the person who received the compensation, granting a reasonable term for return of the compensation.
[RT I, 06.12.2012, 1 - entry into force 01.01.2013]

 (3) If a person who received compensation fails to repay the compensation within the term provided for in subsection (2) of this section, the Social Insurance Board has the right to issue a precept for compulsory execution pursuant to the procedure provided for in the Code of Execution Procedure.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

§ 28.  Claims for payment against compensation, cession and set-off of claims

  No claim for payment shall be made against the compensation or a claim for compensation specified in this Act and claims shall not be ceded or set off.

§ 29.  Exemption from income tax

  Compensation paid on the basis of this Act is not subject to income tax.

§ 30.  Right to file civil action

 (1) Application for or determination of compensation on the basis of this Act shall not restrict the right of the recipient to claim compensation, pursuant to general principles, for damage caused by the crime of violence.

 (2) If a recipient of compensation files an action with a county court for compensation for damage caused by the crime of violence, he or she is required to notify the Social Insurance Board of the action immediately in writing.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

§ 31.  State’s right of recourse

 (1) After compensation has been paid on the basis of this Act, the recipient’s right to claim compensation for damage caused by the criminal offence from the person liable for the damage transfers to the state to the extent of the amount of the compensation paid. The recoverable amount shall not exceed the amount granted upon satisfaction of the civil action.

 (2) In recourse actions, the state shall be represented by the Minister of Social Affairs. The Minister of Social Affairs has the right to delegate authorisation.

 (3) If, after compensation has been granted on the basis of this Act, the recipient receives compensation for the same damage from the person liable for the damage caused by the criminal offence or from any other source and such compensation was not deducted from the damage serving as the basis for determining the amount of compensation pursuant to subsection 10 (2) of this Act, the recipient is required to notify the Social Insurance Board immediately and repay the compensation in the amount calculated when the amount of compensation was determined.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

 (4) Pursuant to subsection (3) of this section, the provisions of § 27 of this Act apply to the reclamation of a compensation.

Division 4 Payment of compensation in cross-border situations in European Union  
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

§ 31¹.  Payment of compensation to victims residing in other Member States of European Union

 (1) The Social Insurance Board shall determine a compensation, under the conditions and pursuant to the procedure established in this Act, to the victim of a crime of violence committed in Estonia and, if the victim dies, to his or her dependant (hereinafter applicant), whose permanent residence is in another Member State of the European Union

 (2) An applicant shall submit an application and the necessary additional documents to the Social Insurance Board or a competent authority of the state of his or her residence.

 (3) Concerning an application received from another Member State of the European Union, the Social Insurance Board shall immediately forward a confirmation which sets out the person who processes the application and the term for the making of a decision concerning the application to the applicant and the authority which forwarded the application.

 (4) The Social Insurance Board shall make a decision to grant compensation or refuse to grant compensation to the applicant within three months as of receipt of the application and the necessary additional documents. The decision shall be sent to the applicant by post or by electronic means within ten working days as of the date on which the decision is made.

 (5) The Social Insurance Board shall pay the compensation granted to the applicant within the calendar month following the making of the decision concerning the grant thereof.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

§ 31².  Specifications for payment of compensation to victims residing in other Member States of the European Union

 (1) Compensation for damage arising from incapacity for work to a victim residing in another Member State of the European Union and compensation for damage arising from the death of the victim to a dependant of a victim residing in other Member States of the European Union is calculated on the basis of income from employment of the victim of the six months preceding the commission of criminal offence.

 (2) In the event of compensation for damage specified in subsection (1) of this section, compensation shall be paid for the whole period of time during which the applicant is permanently incapacitated for work or meets the requirements for receiving a survivor’s pension.

 (3) Funeral expenses are compensated for in the amount of 448 euros.
[RT I 2010, 22, 108 - entry into force 01.01.2011]

§ 31³.  Payment of compensation to victim of crime of violence committed in another Member State of European Union

 (1) Compensation shall be determined and it shall be paid to victims of crime of violence committed in another Member State of the European Union (hereinafter Member State) and other persons who are entitled to compensation on the basis of the legislation of the Member State who reside permanently in Estonia by a competent authority of the Member State on the basis of the legislation of the Member State.

 (2) The person specified in subsection (1) of this section shall address the Social Insurance Board who shall assist him or her, as necessary, in the preparation of the application. The Social Insurance Board shall forward the application together with additional documents to the competent authority of the Member State in which the crime of violence has been committed within thirty days as of the date on which the person specified in subsection (1) of this section addresses the Social Insurance Board.

 (3) If the competent authority of the Member State wishes to hear a person, expert or witness specified in subsection (1) of this section in accordance with the legislation of a Member State during the processing of the application, the competent authority of the Member State shall address the Social Insurance Board who shall organise the following:
 1) the hearing of the specified persons by a representative of the competent authority of the Member State by telephone or video conference;
 2) the hearing of the specified persons and taking of minutes thereof, translation of the minutes if necessary and forwarding of the minutes to the competent authority of the Member State.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

Division 5 Payment of compensation to citizens of state which is party to the European Convention on Compensation of Victims of Violent Crimes  
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

§ 31⁴.  Payment of compensation to citizens of state which is party to the European Convention on Compensation of Victims of Violent Crimes

 (1) The Social Insurance Board shall determine a compensation, under the conditions and pursuant to the procedure established in this Act, to the victim of a crime of violence committed in Estonia and, if the victim dies, to his or her dependant who is a citizen of a state which is a party to the European Convention on Compensation of Victims of Violent Crimes.

 (2) The amount of compensation to be paid to persons specified in subsection (1) of this section is calculated pursuant to the procedure provided for in § 31² of this Act.

 (3) The Social Insurance Board shall pay the compensation granted to the persons specified in subsection (1) of this section pursuant to the procedure provided for in subsection 31¹ (5).
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

Chapter 4 FINANCING  

§ 32.  Financing

 (1) Compensation payable on the basis of this Act is financed and state victim support services and conciliation services are financed from allocations from the state budget to the budget of the Social Insurance Board according to the state budget for the corresponding year.
[RT I 2007, 11, 51 - entry into force 18.02.2007]

 (2) The sources for covering compensation paid on the basis of this Act and the expenses relating to the provision of state victim support services are:
 1) compensation levies paid upon a judgment of conviction;
 2) amounts recovered by way of recourse on the basis of this Act;
 3) allocations from the reserves for the previous year;
 4) other funds allocated from the state budget.

Chapter 5 IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS  

§ 33.  Notification obligation

  Preliminary investigation authorities are required to provide information regarding the content of this Act to victims and dependants who are entitled to receive compensation or victim support services on the basis of this Act.

§ 34.  [Repealed - RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

§ 34¹.  Rates of compensation

 (1) Compensations provided for in this Act shall be paid on the basis of the rate applicable on the date of the making of the decision to grant compensation.

 (2) Periodically paid compensation which was determined before 1 January 2007 and continues to be paid after the specified date has passed shall be recalculated in accordance with the rates in force on 1 January 2007.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

§ 34².  Application for compensation in cross-border situations

  The procedure provided for in Division 4 of Chapter 3 of this Act applies to applicants who fell victim to a crime after 30 June 2005. The applicants who fell victim to a crime during the period from 1 July 2005 to 1 January 2006 may submit an application during the year 2007.
[RT I 2006, 60, 445 - entry into force 01.01.2007]

§ 34³.  Payment of earlier granted compensation

  The compensation determined before 1 February 2009 shall be paid pursuant to the procedure provided for in § 1 of this Act as of 1 February 2009.
[RT I 2008, 48, 264 - entry into force 01.02.2009]

§ 35.  Entry into force of Act

 (1) This Act enters into force on 1 February 2004.

 (2) Chapter 2 of this Act enters into force on 1 January 2005.

 (3) Clause 9 (2) 2) of this Act enters into force as of Estonia's accession to the European Union.

 (4) Clause 9 (2) 3) of this Act enters into force as of the entry into force of the Act Ratifying the European Convention on Compensation of Victims of Violent Crimes.

§ 36.  Revocation of State Compensation of Victims of Crime Act

  [Omitted from this text.]

¹Council Directive 2004/80/EC relating to compensation to crime victims (OJ L 261, 6.8.2004, pp. 15-18)