It’s been 77 years since the end of World War II and justice is still owed to victims of the Holocaust. The latest example comes from Florida where the state’s Department of Financial Services’ (DFS) Holocaust Victims Assistance Program recently announced the program returned more than $15 million to Florida Holocaust survivors during the 2022 Legislative Session

“We must do all we can to reunite survivors and their heirs with items that were stolen from them during the atrocities of the Holocaust. Last year, I’m proud to say we assisted survivors and their families with securing more than $15 million in proceeds from lost insurance policies, financial assets from European Settlement Funds, property, emergency funds, and home health care,” said Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis, noting since 2017, DFS has returned nearly $60 million to holocaust survivors and their heirs. “My office remains committed to ensuring that these claims are resolved, and every bit of cash and property is recovered and returned to its rightful owner.”

The Department’s program aids Florida Holocaust survivors seeking to recover proceeds from insurance policies issued to Holocaust victims, restitution for Nazi-confiscated bank accounts, looted art, and property. In addition, the program assists eligible Florida Holocaust survivors in obtaining free home health care and emergency financial assistance for medical care, food, and utilities.

Anyone who needs assistance with filing a Holocaust-era financial claim or assistance in obtaining social welfare services can contact the Holocaust Victims Assistance Helpline by phone at 1-800-388-4069 or via email at HolocaustAssistance@MyFloridaCFO.com