Max State Compensation for Some Victims is 4,680 Euro, per LSM
State compensation for crime victims in Latvia reached 1.18 million euros paid out to 302 individuals during the first half of 2026, according to figures released by the Court Administration and reported by Latvian Television program “4. studija” on LSM.lv. While maximum payout limits rose to six minimum monthly salaries in May, child welfare authorities report severe vulnerabilities in how these funds reach minors when parents misuse the money.
Court Administration Approves 302 Crime Victim Compensation Applications
During the first six months of 2026, the Court Administration received 392 applications for state crime victim compensation, approving 302 of them. The total disbursement of 1.18 million euros covers individuals who suffered severe consequences during criminal investigations, as outlined by Inga Ozola, head of the State Compensation for Victims Department at the Court Administration.
For individuals recognized as victims starting May 19, the maximum state compensation reaches 4,680 euros, calculated as six minimum monthly salaries. This amount scales proportionally depending on the severity of the criminal offense. Victims can apply for state compensation within three years of being officially recognized in a criminal proceeding.
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Total funds disbursed | 1.18 million euros |
| Maximum compensation cap | 4,680 euros (6 minimum salaries) |
| Application window | 3 years from victim recognition |
Parental Misuse of Compensation Payouts Risks Children
Out of 728 total recipients last year, nearly 300 were minors. While financial support aims to aid emotional recovery and cover damages, institutional oversight gaps have exposed children to severe risks when payouts land directly in parental bank accounts.
The Office of the Ombudsman documented a severe case where parents spent a child’s 25,000-euro compensation payout entirely on alcohol. Laila Grāvere, head of the Children’s Rights Division at the Office of the Ombudsman, noted that the child suffered direct neglect and trauma from the influx of alcoholics gathering in the home.
Valentīna Gorbunova, head of the Child Rights Supervision Service at the Children’s Protection Center, highlighted additional systemic risks involving familial abuse and compromised reporting channels between law enforcement and municipal orphan’s courts.
Protecting Child Compensation Payouts
To prevent funds from being squandered, the Office of the Ombudsman outlines three distinct payout mechanisms: transferring funds to the legal representatives’ general account, depositing them into a savings account, or placing them into a minor’s individual settlement account.
Depositing funds into a savings account requires orphan’s court approval for withdrawals, providing a safeguard against misuse. However, Grāvere cautions that locking away funds entirely until a child reaches adulthood fails to address immediate therapeutic needs following a crime.
Compounding the administrative challenge, municipal orphan’s courts frequently remain unaware of child victims because the State Police do not systematically inform them about newly initiated criminal proceedings involving minors. When families or perpetrators manage the accounts, recovering or properly channeling state support becomes a complex legal hurdle for social workers and family law attorneys.