Office for Justice of Sterilization Victims notifies public of compensation program deadline

Here’s the press release from the N.C Office for Justice of Sterilization Victims:

The victims of North Carolina’s 1933 Eugenics Board (sterilization) Program have until June 30, 2014 to submit a completed claim form to the Office for Justice of Sterilization Victims to be eligible to receive compensation under the Eugenics Compensation Program. As of March 31, 2014, the Office has received 376 claim forms from potential Eugenics Board sterilization victims. 199 of those claim forms have been forwarded to the NC Industrial Commission to determine whether the claimants are eligible for compensation.

“It is heartening that people are coming forward and making claims,” Governor McCrory said. “While the physical and emotional effects of forced sterilization are immeasurable, compensation is a small tangible way of showing support for the burdens they were forced to carry.”

Senate Bill 402 established that the Office of Justice for Sterilization Victims, within the Department of Administration, collects documentation and assists potentially qualified claimants with their claims. Then, the Office returns incomplete claim forms to the sender for correction and forwards completed claim forms and documentation to the Industrial Commission which determines eligibility. Both the Commission and the Office are working to ensure that all eligible claimants receive compensation. Governor Pat McCrory signed Senate Bill 402 into law which appropriates $10 million in compensation to be divided equally amongst the total number of certified claimants.

For more information, including claim forms, please visit the Office for Justice of Sterilization Victims online or call 919-807-4270.