A violent crime can leave you dealing with pain, anxiety, time away from work and costs. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, known as CICA, provides a government-funded compensation route for eligible victims in England, Scotland and Wales. CICA may consider an application even when the attacker has not been identified, charged or convicted, provided the evidence shows on the balance of probabilities that a qualifying crime of violence caused the injury.
What a criminal injury compensation claim can cover
The scheme covers certain physical injuries, disabling mental injuries, sexual or physical abuse, bereavement following the death of a close relative, funeral costs, loss of earnings and limited special expenses. An injury must normally appear in the scheme’s tariff, which assigns fixed values according to the type, severity and duration of the harm.
A civil claim usually requires a legally responsible defendant and may involve costs risk. CICA follows statutory rules and fixed tariff amounts. Compensation already received from an offender, insurer, court order or civil claim may be taken into account.
Who may meet the CICA eligibility rules?
The incident must have happened in England, Wales or Scotland and must amount to a crime of violence. Deliberate assaults are common examples, but the scheme can also cover sexual offences, abuse and some injuries suffered while taking a justified and exceptional risk to stop a crime. Ordinary accidents are not covered simply because someone acted carelessly.
The crime must be reported to the police as soon as reasonably practicable. Reporting it only to an employer, doctor or school is not enough. You should also cooperate with reasonable police requests. A conviction is unnecessary, but CICA will usually obtain information from the police about the report and investigation.
Nationality and residency conditions apply. Many applicants qualify because they were ordinarily resident in the UK when the crime occurred. Other specified groups may qualify under separate rules. Unspent criminal convictions can lead to an award being reduced or withheld. CICA may also reduce or refuse compensation where the applicant’s conduct contributed to the incident.
How long do you have to apply?
Most adults should submit a criminal injury compensation claim UK application as soon as reasonably practicable and within two years of the incident. Do not wait for the investigation, charging decision or trial to finish. CICA applies the balance-of-probabilities test, which differs from the criminal court standard.
Late applications are possible, but extensions are limited. An adult generally needs to show that exceptional circumstances prevented an earlier application and that the evidence allows the claim to be decided without extensive further enquiries. Different rules apply to people who were under 18, including deadlines linked to their twentieth birthday or the date the crime was first reported.
The CICA claim process
Prepare the key information
The online application is free and you do not have to instruct a solicitor. You will usually need the date and location of the crime, the police force, crime reference number, your GP’s details, dental details and information about previous CICA applications. Keep records of treatment, symptoms, time off work and police communication.
Submit an accurate application
Describe the incident and injuries clearly rather than overstating them. CICA will check police information and may request medical evidence. You may initially be expected to obtain medical information and pay up to £50, although help may be available if you cannot afford it. Evidence requested by CICA is generally arranged at its expense.
Respond promptly
Missing information can delay the CICA claim process. Check letters and emails, quote your reference whenever you contact CICA, and report important changes. Government guidance says a decision is usually made within 12 months, although complex injuries or ongoing treatment can make the process longer.
A practical assault compensation claim example
Imagine a shop worker who is punched during a robbery, suffers a fractured jaw and later develops clinically diagnosed post-traumatic stress symptoms. The worker reports the attack immediately, gives a statement and attends hospital. They should not wait to see whether the offender is convicted. A well-prepared assault compensation claim would include the crime reference, treatment history, evidence of the fracture, mental-health diagnosis and records showing any prolonged inability to work.
Create a claim file from the start. Save police details, appointment letters, fit notes, wage information and a dated note of how symptoms affect daily life. This cannot guarantee victim of crime compensation, but it reduces avoidable gaps. Guidance on evidence needed for injury claims and compensation for psychological injuries may also help.
How much compensation might CICA award?
Injury payments currently range from £1,000 to £250,000, while the maximum total award is £500,000. The figure is not negotiated like a civil settlement. CICA applies the tariff description that best matches the proven injury, its severity, recovery and long-term effects.
For multiple qualifying injuries, the formula normally pays 100% of the highest-valued injury, 30% of the second and 15% of the third. No more than three injuries are included under that formula, although specific additional payments can apply.
Loss of earnings has strict conditions. The injury must normally leave the person unable to work, or with very limited capacity, for more than 28 weeks, and payment begins from week 29. Special expenses may cover defined costs such as certain care needs, home adaptations, mobility aids or damaged physical aids, but not every expense caused by the crime.
What happens after the decision?
If compensation is offered, the acceptance form normally needs to be returned within 56 days. If you disagree with the decision or amount, you can request a review within 56 days of the original decision letter and submit further evidence. A review can confirm, increase, reduce or remove an award.
After the review, you can appeal to the independent First-tier Tribunal within 90 days. The tribunal can uphold, increase or reduce the award, decide that nothing is payable, or return the case to CICA. Consider specialist advice where the evidence or scheme rules are disputed.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim if nobody was convicted?
Yes. An offender does not have to be identified or convicted. CICA decides claims on the balance of probabilities using police, medical and other evidence.
Can I claim for anxiety or PTSD?
Potentially. A disabling mental injury must generally last at least six weeks and be diagnosed by a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. The tariff level depends on duration and severity.
Do I need a solicitor?
No. Applying is free and you can complete the process yourself or ask a trusted person to help. If you hire a legal adviser, their fees are not normally reimbursed by the scheme.
Can CICA reject a late claim?
Yes, although exceptions may apply. Explain the delay and provide supporting evidence. Historic abuse and applicants who were children at the time of the crime have specific rules.
Making a well-prepared application
Report the crime promptly, seek treatment, apply within the time limit and keep organised evidence. A criminal injury compensation claim UK application does not depend on a conviction, but it does depend on meeting detailed eligibility and evidence rules. Acting early gives CICA a clearer record and more time to address missing information before deadlines expire.