The National Survivor Financial
Security Policy Map and Scorecard

How well does your state support survivorsʼ ﬁnancial security?

STATES

Alabama

RANK: 42nd

Little Accountability

This state does not prioritize survivors’ financial security or consider their unique circumstances or needs

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Alaska

RANK: 23rd

Some Accountability

This state somewhat considers survivors’ financial security in a few policies, but has a lot of work to do

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Arizona

RANK: 19th

Taking Steps

This state considers survivors’ financial security in multiple policies, and is making progress towards becoming a survivor financial security friendly state

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Arkanzas

RANK: 46th

Little Accountability

This state does not prioritize survivors’ financial security or consider their unique circumstances or needs

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California

RANK: 1st

Financial Security Friendly

This state is prioritizing survivors’ financial security in a broad range of policies and is on its way to becoming a Model State!

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Colorado

RANK: 7th

Taking Steps

This state considers survivors’ financial security in multiple policies, and is making progress towards becoming a survivor financial security friendly state

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Connecticut

RANK: 7th

Taking Steps

This state considers survivors’ financial security in multiple policies, and is making progress towards becoming a survivor financial security friendly state

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Delaware

RANK: 20th

Some Accountability

This state somewhat considers survivors’ financial security in a few policies, but has a lot of work to do

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District of Columbia

RANK: 22nd

Taking Steps

This state considers survivors’ financial security in multiple policies, and is making progress towards becoming a survivor financial security friendly state

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Florida

RANK: 39th

Some Accountability

This state somewhat considers survivors’ financial security in a few policies, but has a lot of work to do

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Georgia

RANK: 45th

Little Accountability

This state does not prioritize survivors’ financial security or consider their unique circumstances or needs

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Hawaii

RANK: 10th

Taking Steps

This state considers survivors’ financial security in multiple policies, and is making progress towards becoming a survivor financial security friendly state

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Idaho

RANK: 44th

Little Accountability

This state does not prioritize survivors’ financial security or consider their unique circumstances or needs

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Illinois

RANK: 2nd

Taking Steps

This state considers survivors’ financial security in multiple policies, and is making progress towards becoming a survivor financial security friendly state

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Indiana

RANK: 47th

Little Accountability

This state does not prioritize survivors’ financial security or consider their unique circumstances or needs

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Iowa

RANK: 48th

Little Accountability

This state does not prioritize survivors’ financial security or consider their unique circumstances or needs

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Kansas

RANK: 37th

Little Accountability

This state does not prioritize survivors’ financial security or consider their unique circumstances or needs

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Kentucky

RANK: 39th

Little Accountability

This state does not prioritize survivors’ financial security or consider their unique circumstances or needs

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Louisiana

RANK: 31st

Little Accountability

This state does not prioritize survivors’ financial security or consider their unique circumstances or needs

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Maine

RANK: 26th

Taking Steps

This state considers survivors’ financial security in multiple policies, and is making progress towards becoming a survivor financial security friendly state

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Maryland

RANK: 13th

Taking Steps

This state considers survivors’ financial security in multiple policies, and is making progress towards becoming a survivor financial security friendly state

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Massachusetts

RANK: 14th

Taking Steps

This state considers survivors’ financial security in multiple policies, and is making progress towards becoming a survivor financial security friendly state

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Michigan

RANK: 14th

Taking Steps

This state considers survivors’ financial security in multiple policies, and is making progress towards becoming a survivor financial security friendly state

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Minnesota

RANK: 5th

Taking Steps

This state considers survivors’ financial security in multiple policies, and is making progress towards becoming a survivor financial security friendly state

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Mississippi

RANK: 49th

Little Accountability

This state does not prioritize survivors’ financial security or consider their unique circumstances or needs

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Missouri

RANK: 23rd

Little Accountability

This state does not prioritize survivors’ financial security or consider their unique circumstances or needs

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Montana

RANK: 32nd

Little Accountability

This state does not prioritize survivors’ financial security or consider their unique circumstances or needs

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Nebraska

RANK: 18th

Taking Steps

This state considers survivors’ financial security in multiple policies, and is making progress towards becoming a survivor financial security friendly state

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Nevada

RANK: 9th

Taking Steps

This state considers survivors’ financial security in multiple policies, and is making progress towards becoming a survivor financial security friendly state

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New Hampshire

RANK: 23rd

Some Accountability

This state somewhat considers survivors’ financial security in a few policies, but has a lot of work to do

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New Jersey

RANK: 11th

Taking Steps

This state considers survivors’ financial security in multiple policies, and is making progress towards becoming a survivor financial security friendly state

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New Mexico

RANK: 11th

Taking Steps

This state considers survivors’ financial security in multiple policies, and is making progress towards becoming a survivor financial security friendly state

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New York

RANK: 3rd

Taking Steps

This state considers survivors’ financial security in multiple policies, and is making progress towards becoming a survivor financial security friendly state

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North Carolina

RANK: 21st

Some Accountability

This state somewhat considers survivors’ financial security in a few policies, but has a lot of work to do

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North Dakota

RANK: 33rd

Little Accountability

This state does not prioritize survivors’ financial security or consider their unique circumstances or needs

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Ohio

RANK: 36th

Little Accountability

This state does not prioritize survivors’ financial security or consider their unique circumstances or needs

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Oklahoma

RANK: 39th

Little Accountability

This state does not prioritize survivors’ financial security or consider their unique circumstances or needs

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Oregon

RANK: 4th

Taking Steps

This state considers survivors’ financial security in multiple policies, and is making progress towards becoming a survivor financial security friendly state

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Pennsylvania

RANK: 50th

Little Accountability

This state does not prioritize survivors’ financial security or consider their unique circumstances or needs

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Rhode Island

RANK: 17th

Taking Steps

This state considers survivors’ financial security in multiple policies, and is making progress towards becoming a survivor financial security friendly state

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South Carolina

RANK: 29th

Some Accountability

This state somewhat considers survivors’ financial security in a few policies, but has a lot of work to do

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South Dakota

RANK: 27th

Some Accountability

This state somewhat considers survivors’ financial security in a few policies, but has a lot of work to do

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Tennessee

RANK: 33rd

Little Accountability

This state does not prioritize survivors’ financial security or consider their unique circumstances or needs

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Texas

RANK: 27th

Little Accountability

This state does not prioritize survivors’ financial security or consider their unique circumstances or needs

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Utah

RANK: 29th

Little Accountability

This state does not prioritize survivors’ financial security or consider their unique circumstances or needs

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Vermont

RANK: 16th

Taking Steps

This state considers survivors’ financial security in multiple policies, and is making progress towards becoming a survivor financial security friendly state

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Virginia

RANK: 51st

Little Accountability

This state does not prioritize survivors’ financial security or consider their unique circumstances or needs

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Washington

RANK: 7th

Taking Steps

This state considers survivors’ financial security in multiple policies, and is making progress towards becoming a survivor financial security friendly state

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West Virginia

RANK: 33rd

Little Accountability

This state does not prioritize survivors’ financial security or consider their unique circumstances or needs

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Wisconsin

RANK: 37th

Little Accountability

This state does not prioritize survivors’ financial security or consider their unique circumstances or needs

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Wyoming

RANK: 42nd

Little Accountability

This state does not prioritize survivors’ financial security or consider their unique circumstances or needs

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Access to the State’s Policy-Making Process

Alternatives to Law Enforcement Responses

Coerced and Fraudulent Debt Protections

Designated Tort for Intimate Partner Violence

Economic Abuse Defined in State Laws

Guaranteed Income for Survivors

Health Insurance Accessibility

Litigation Abuse Protections

Paid and Protective Leave

Rental Protections

Safe Banking Protections

Safe Workplaces

Services and Protections for Undocumented Survivors

Spousal Support Exemption for Survivors

State Tax Credits

State Tax Filing Protections

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Accessibility

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Accessibility

Unemployment Insurance (UI) Accessibility

Victims of Crime Compensation Accessibility

KEY

MODEL

FINANCIAL SECURITY FRIENDLY

TAKING STEPS

SOME ACCOUNTABILITY

LITTLE ACCOUNTABILITY

MODEL

STRONG

PROMISING

NONE

ADVERSE

Report missing info

Scoring guide

SNAPSHOT BY OVERALL SCORE

0 STATES

Model

1 STATES

Financial Security Friendly

20 STATES

Taking Steps

7 STATES

Some Accountability

23 STATES

Little Accountability

STATES TO WATCH

Tennessee becomes the third state to define financial abuse in its laws

Tennessee recently passed legislation that expands the state’s definition of domestic violence to include financial abuse and leads the way in the most robust definition of financial abuse in the nation. Senate Bill 979 (2023)

Rhode Island passed and signed into law litigation abuse protections that are among the robust protections

Rhode Island’s new law, in addition to preventing a harm-doer from abusive litigation and paying associated attorney’s fees, the harm-doer will be ordered to pay additional damages such as transportation costs, lost wages, and child care incurred due to the abusive litigation. SB 604A (2023)

Vermont joins four other states to create protections for survivors against litigation abuse

Vermont’s litigation abuse protections bill has recently passed and will take effect starting September 2023. This includes a list of protections for survivors who are being subjected to further harm through abusive litigation (e.g. when the harm doer is using litigation for the purpose of causing harm to the survivor or maintaining contact with them). HB 45 (2023)

Oregon introduced legislation to make sweeping changes to the state’s Crime Victims Compensation Program

Oregon’s bill includes an exemption in reporting to law enforcement requirements for domestic violence survivors. SB 1039 (2023)

California passed legislation to bring much need relief to survivors against coerced debt

California signed into law important legislation that helps survivors get relief from coerced debt. A survivor will be able to submit a “right of action” claim. (ie. providing documentation) to a creditor (i.e. a credit card company) to show the debt was due to coercion. SB 975 (2022)

North Carolina introduced legislation that would create the “Coerced Debt and Relief Act"

North Carolina’s bill would protect survivors from coerced debt and would also add the ability for a survivor to sue a harm-doer for the amount of debt incurred in their name, plus attorney’s fees and costs. HB 561 (2023)

Arizona introduced legislation to make minor improvements to its rental protection law

Arizona’s bill would expand on current law to allow for a more expansive list of documentation such as letters from qualified 3rd parties; therapists, victim advocates, health professionals, and social workers as evidence. This change would make their current rental protections more accessible to all survivors. SB 1644 (2023)

New Hampshire introduced legislation to expand the state’s definition of domestic violence to include economic abuse tactics.

New Hampshire’s bill would include economic abuse tactics such as interfering with a survivor’s job and controlling their paychecks and assets. HB 549 (2023)

Connecticut introduced legislation to enhance its rental protections

Connecticut’s bill would prevent a landlord from discriminating against someone based on their status as a survivor. Raised Bill 906 (2023)

Montana introduced legislation to create safe leave for survivors of domestic violence

Montana’s will would create a paid sick leave policy that would include safe leave for survivors. HB 386 (2023)

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The National Survivor Financial Security Policy Map and Scorecard

SNAPSHOT BY OVERALL SCORE

0 STATES

1 STATES

20 STATES

7 STATES

23 STATES

STATES TO WATCH

Take action

The National Survivor Financial
Security Policy Map and Scorecard