The Justice Department announced on Wednesday that it will distribute a record $2.825 billion to nearly 22,000 victims of state-sponsored terrorism, marking the largest payout in the program’s history.
The distribution brings total compensation from the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund to over $10 billion, providing long-awaited relief to thousands harmed by international terrorist acts.
“The distribution announced today brings the total compensation provided by the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund to over $10 billion,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Criminal Division is honored to serve this victim community by administering the Fund.”
Duva acknowledged the limitations of monetary compensation.
“No amount of money can ever make the victims of these terrible acts whole, but this distribution aims to provide some measure of justice.”
Special Master Mary Patrice Brown, who authorized the distribution, praised the recipients’ resilience. ”
The department’s dedicated Fund team and I applaud the courage and perseverance of victims of state‑sponsored terrorism and their families,” Brown said. “This will be the largest distribution in the Fund’s history, as we continue to ensure that all available funds reach victims and their families.”
Congress established the Fund to compensate victims of international state-sponsored terrorism. The program has previously distributed more than $7 billion through five general distributions and two rounds of lump-sum catch-up payments.
Funding comes from multiple sources beyond an initial $1 billion congressional appropriation. Additional money flows from Justice Department prosecutions, federal enforcement actions, and the recent termination of reserve funds for Beirut barracks and Khobar Towers victims.
The Fund has grown substantially, adding more than 1,300 new claimants since last year’s distribution. Officials expect claims to increase as more terrorism victims apply for compensation.
Victims and families can find application materials and additional information at www.usvsst.com. The website includes frequently asked questions and publications about the compensation process.