The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is a government body that administers a state-funded compensation scheme for blameless victims of violent crime in England, Wales and Scotland. Established under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act 1995, CICA operates independently of the criminal justice process—you can apply whether or not the offender was caught or prosecuted. The scheme has strict time limits, eligibility rules and evidential requirements. This guide explains who can claim, how much you may receive, and the steps to take if you were injured in a violent attack.

Northern Ireland has a separate scheme administered by the Department of Justice NI; the rules and procedures differ.

What is the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority?

CICA is an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice. Its sole purpose is to process applications and award compensation under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 (as amended). The scheme replaces earlier versions from 1996, 2001 and 2008; the 2012 Scheme governs all applications made from 27 November 2012 onwards.

CICA is not a court. It makes administrative decisions according to a tariff of fixed award bands set out in statute. Awards are funded by the Exchequer—claimants do not sue the offender—and the Authority has no power to prosecute offenders or guarantee their conviction.

How the Scheme differs from personal injury claims

A CICA application is entirely separate from a civil negligence claim. Key differences include:

  • Tariff-based awards: compensation is paid according to a fixed tariff of injury descriptions and award levels, not a judge's assessment of individual losses.
  • No defendant: there is no adversary; CICA decides whether you meet the Scheme's eligibility criteria.
  • Strict time limits: you ordinarily have two years from the date of the crime to apply, with limited discretion to extend.
  • Conduct and co-operation bars: awards may be reduced or withheld if you have unspent criminal convictions, failed to co-operate with the police, or contributed to your injuries through your own conduct.

Who can claim criminal injuries compensation?

You may be eligible if all of the following apply:

  1. You suffered a criminal injury directly attributable to a crime of violence in England, Wales or Scotland.
  2. The incident occurred on or after 1 October 1979 (the date the first statutory scheme commenced).
  3. You reported the crime to the police as soon as reasonably practicable and before applying.
  4. You co-operated fully with the police and the Authority.
  5. You are not prevented by a conduct bar—for example, by unspent convictions or by having provoked the attack.

What counts as a crime of violence?

The Scheme defines "crime of violence" broadly to include offences of physical violence, sexual assault, arson, poisoning and certain threats that cause fear and psychiatric injury. Examples include:

  • Assault, grievous bodily harm, wounding
  • Sexual assault and rape
  • Domestic violence
  • Arson and attempted murder
  • Threats made in person that cause psychiatric injury (where the assailant had the present ability to carry out the threat)

Injuries caused by road-traffic offences are generally excluded, unless the vehicle was used as a weapon to cause injury deliberately or recklessly. A speeding or careless driving crash does not ordinarily fall within the Scheme; instead you would pursue a civil claim against the driver's insurer.

Eligibility for children and vulnerable adults

Children under 18 and adults who lack mental capacity to apply themselves may have an application made on their behalf by a litigation friend or parent. The same evidential requirements apply, and the Authority will consider the child's best interests when awarding compensation. Awards for children are typically held until the child reaches 18, though the Authority may release funds earlier for treatment or special equipment.

Time limits: when you must apply

Under paragraph 87 of the 2012 Scheme, you must apply within two years of the date of the incident. The Authority has discretion to extend the deadline only in exceptional circumstances, such as:

  • You were a child at the time and were too afraid to report until adulthood.
  • You suffered serious mental incapacity that prevented you from applying sooner.
  • Police or medical evidence only came to light later.

CICA interprets "exceptional circumstances" narrowly. If you miss the two-year deadline without a compelling reason, your claim will be refused.

When the two-year period starts

The time limit usually runs from the date of the incident. For injuries that develop over time—such as a psychiatric condition triggered by repeated domestic violence—the two years run from the date of the last incident or the date the condition was diagnosed, whichever the Authority considers fair.

What this means for you
If you were assaulted or injured in a violent crime, report it to the police as soon as possible and consider submitting a CICA application well before the two-year anniversary. Late applications risk refusal unless you can demonstrate truly exceptional reasons for the delay.

How much compensation can you claim?

Compensation is calculated according to a statutory tariff of injuries ranked from level 1 (minor) to level 25 (most severe). Each injury is assigned a tariff level with a fixed monetary award.

Tariff levels and award bands

Awards ranged from £1,000 for minor injuries to £500,000 for the most catastrophic injuries at the time of the 2012 Scheme's introduction. Tariff values have been updated periodically; the 2019 amendment instrument uprated awards in line with inflation.

The tariff covers:

  • Physical injuries: fractures, scarring, loss of limb or organ, brain injury, burns.
  • Sexual assault: injuries arising from rape, sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse.
  • Mental injury: post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression directly attributable to the crime, provided they meet the clinical threshold and endure for the prescribed period.
  • Fatal injury: bereavement payments and dependency awards for qualifying dependants of a deceased victim.

If you suffer more than one injury in the same incident, the Authority will pay the full tariff for the highest-rated injury, plus 30 per cent of the second and 15 per cent of the third, capped at three injuries.

Additional compensation for loss of earnings and special expenses

Beyond the tariff award, you may claim:

  • Loss of earnings if you lost income for more than 28 weeks because of the injury.
  • Special expenses for treatment, care, aids and adaptations not available on the NHS or through social care.

Loss of earnings and special expenses are calculated on a case-by-case basis and subject to detailed evidence requirements.

Minimum award threshold

Claims are refused if the total award—including tariff, loss of earnings and special expenses—falls below a minimum threshold (currently £1,000 after the 2019 uplift). This ensures the Scheme focuses resources on more serious injuries.

How to apply to CICA

Applications are made through the online Claim criminal injuries compensation service on GOV.UK. Paper forms are available for applicants who cannot apply online.

Information and evidence you will need

When you apply, CICA will ask for:

  • Personal details: name, date of birth, address, National Insurance number.
  • Details of the crime: date, time, location, a description of what happened.
  • Police information: the police force you reported to, crime reference number and the officer's name.
  • Medical evidence: GP records, hospital discharge summaries, psychiatric reports if you are claiming for mental injury.
  • Loss of earnings and expenses: payslips, P60s, employer statements, invoices for treatment or care.

CICA will request records from the police and your GP directly. You will be asked to sign consent forms authorising the release of your medical and police records.

The decision process

Once CICA receives your application and supporting evidence:

  1. A claims officer reviews the evidence to decide whether the Scheme's eligibility criteria are met.
  2. If eligible, the officer determines the appropriate tariff level for each injury and calculates any loss of earnings or special expenses.
  3. CICA sends you a decision letter setting out the award (or the reasons for refusal) and your right to request a review.

The process typically takes several months; complex cases involving serious injury or disputes over conduct may take a year or longer.

Reviews and appeals: what to do if your claim is refused or the award is too low

If you disagree with CICA's decision—whether a refusal or an award you believe is too low—you have two stages of challenge:

1. Review

You must request a review within 90 days of the decision. Your request should explain why you believe the decision is wrong and provide any new evidence. A different CICA claims officer will reconsider the case.

2. Appeal to the First-tier Tribunal

If the review decision remains unfavourable, you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Criminal Injuries Compensation). The Tribunal is independent of CICA and part of HM Courts and Tribunals Service. You must lodge your appeal within 90 days of the review decision.

The Tribunal will hold a hearing at which you (or your representative) can give evidence and make submissions. The Tribunal has full power to confirm, increase, reduce or overturn CICA's decision. The Tribunal's decision is binding on CICA.

A Tribunal Practice Statement sets out procedural guidance, including the power to grant permission for judicial review in certain circumstances.

Conduct and character: when awards are reduced or withheld

CICA applies strict "conduct bars" that allow it to reduce or refuse awards. The Scheme requires the Authority to consider:

  • Unspent criminal convictions: a record of convictions may result in a percentage reduction (typically 25–100 per cent) or complete refusal, depending on the nature and seriousness of the offences.
  • Conduct before, during or after the incident: if you provoked the attack, engaged in violence yourself, or failed to co-operate with the police, your claim may be reduced or rejected.
  • Character: persistent offending or anti-social behaviour may render you ineligible, even if you are blameless in the instant incident.

The Authority publishes detailed guidance on how it applies conduct bars. Reductions and refusals are discretionary: each case is assessed individually, and you may make representations explaining the circumstances.

Road-traffic accidents: when CICA compensation does not apply

Most road-traffic injuries fall outside the Scheme because they result from poor driving rather than deliberate violence. If you were injured in a crash caused by a driver's negligence, your remedy lies in a civil claim against the driver's motor insurer.

Exceptions: vehicle used as a weapon

CICA will accept a claim if a vehicle was used deliberately or recklessly as a weapon to cause injury. Examples include:

  • A driver who rams pedestrians or another vehicle in an act of violence or terrorism.
  • A driver who pursues and collides with a victim in the course of an assault.
  • A driver who drives at high speed in an attempt to cause fear or injury.

Establishing that the vehicle was used as a weapon requires strong evidence—usually police investigation findings or a criminal prosecution for offences such as attempted murder, causing grievous bodily harm with intent, or dangerous driving with intent to injure.

In most everyday crashes—even fatal ones—the injury arises from careless or dangerous driving, not a crime of violence. You would pursue a personal injury or fatal accident claim through the civil courts or the Motor Insurers' Bureau if the driver is uninsured.

Criminal injuries compensation in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland operates a separate statutory scheme governed by the Criminal Injuries (Compensation) (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 and administered by the Compensation Services of the Department of Justice NI.

The Northern Ireland scheme has its own tariff, time limits (generally three years from the incident) and appeals process (the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel NI). If your injury occurred in Northern Ireland, you must apply to the NI scheme; CICA has no jurisdiction.

Frequently asked questions

Can I claim if the attacker was never caught?

Yes. CICA does not require a criminal conviction or even that the offender be identified. The Authority decides on the balance of probabilities whether a crime of violence occurred and you were injured.

Will a CICA award affect my benefits?

Criminal injuries compensation is disregarded for most means-tested benefits, including Universal Credit and Employment and Support Allowance. The award does not count as income or capital for benefit purposes for 52 weeks, and certain elements (such as compensation for loss of earnings) may be disregarded indefinitely. Seek advice from a welfare-rights adviser if you are unsure.

Do I need a solicitor to apply?

No. You can complete the online application yourself at no cost. However, if your case is complex—particularly if it involves substantial loss of earnings, disputed conduct issues, or a Tribunal appeal—specialist legal advice may improve your chances of a fair award. Some solicitors work on a no-win, no-fee basis for CICA reviews and appeals.

Can I claim both CICA compensation and sue the offender?

Legally you can pursue both, but in practice offenders rarely have the means to pay damages. CICA is often the only realistic source of compensation. If you do receive damages from the offender (or another source, such as an insurer), CICA will usually recover any overlapping payments.

What to do next

If you were injured in a violent crime in England, Wales or Scotland:

  1. Report the crime to the police as soon as possible and obtain a crime reference number.
  2. Seek medical treatment and ensure your injuries are documented by your GP or hospital.
  3. Gather evidence: keep copies of police reports, medical records, photographs of injuries, and records of time off work.
  4. Apply online via the GOV.UK CICA service within two years of the incident.
  5. Request a review if you disagree with the decision, and consider appealing to the First-tier Tribunal if the review is unsuccessful.

If you are unsure whether your injury qualifies, or if you have been refused compensation and wish to challenge the decision, seek advice from a personal injury solicitor experienced in CICA claims or contact a specialist advisory service.

Last reviewed: 2026-06-15

Sources

Disclaimer

This article provides general information about the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority and the statutory compensation scheme for victims of violent crime in the United Kingdom. It is not legal advice. The rules governing eligibility, time limits, tariff awards and conduct bars are complex and fact-specific. If you are considering applying for criminal injuries compensation, or if your application has been refused or you have received an award you believe is inadequate, you should seek advice from a solicitor who specialises in CICA claims or contact an independent advisory service. Always check the latest version of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme and accompanying guidance on GOV.UK, as the rules and tariff values are updated periodically. This article was last reviewed on 15 June 2026; subsequent legislative or procedural changes may not be reflected.