Approximately one half of the States now have provisions for victim compensation. Compensation payments are civil in character and reflect a social responsibility for helping to spread the losses that result from specific categories of crime. In a majority of jurisdictions, compensation is the responsibility of relatively autonomous administrative boards which may be created solely for the purpose of administering victim compensation. An alternative approach has been to frame compensation legislation within an existing structure, such as workmen's compensation. Victim compensation boards are frequently appointed, usually for periods of 5 to 7 years. Programs can also proceed through the court system. Compensation awards are made following procedures that are fairly standardized across programs, most of which involve screening out ineligible cases. Programs vary in the degree to which eligibility criteria are present, although there is a board consensus as to the types of restrictions employed. The most important limitations on qualifying may be discussed in terms of compensable claimants, compensable offenses, compensable losses, and miscellaneous restrictions. Salient issues for victim compensation programs include the question of expense, the concern over whether compensation is necessary to a victim, and the cost of compensating such victims. Projected total costs for a national compensation program run from 144 billion to 261 billion per annum. The future of the programs are linked with three possible developments: the future crime rate, the future of the U.S. welfare state, and the role taken by the Federal Government. A total of 24 notes are appended.