Criminal injuries compensation

Every fact on this page comes from GOV.UK, the scheme itself and, for Northern Ireland, nidirect. We last checked it on 6 October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.

Looking for a quick answer? Read our common questions about CICA.

What it is

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) runs a government scheme that can pay compensation to people harmed by violent crime in England, Wales or Scotland. Northern Ireland has its own scheme, explained below.

The scheme in use now: the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 (amended), which applies from 13 June 2019.

It is separate from a civil claim against the person or organisation responsible. Our guide to civil claims explains those.

Who can apply

• The crime must have happened in England, Wales or Scotland, and it must be a violent crime. This includes sexual assault, and sexual or physical abuse. There is a different process if it happened in Northern Ireland or in another country.
• The crime must be reported to the police before you apply, and as soon as reasonably practicable. If you delayed reporting it, CICA will ask you why. It will consider the full circumstances, including your age at the time and how the crime affected you.
• The person who harmed you does not have to be identified or convicted. You do not need to wait for a police investigation or a court case to finish before you apply. You are expected to co-operate, as far as reasonably practicable, in bringing them to justice.

There are also rules about nationality and where you were living at the time. GOV.UK explains them on its eligibility page.

Time limits

Most people must apply as soon as reasonably practicable, and within 2 years of the crime. You may be able to apply later if you are claiming because of childhood sexual or physical abuse, or if you could not claim earlier, for example because your mental or physical health stopped you.

If you apply late, CICA must also be able to decide your claim from the evidence you send, without extensive further enquiries.

What you could get

An injury payment can be between £1,000 and £250,000. You can apply for more than one injury and for other payments, such as loss of earnings. The most anyone can be awarded in total is £500,000.

The scheme can also cover mental injuries. A ‘disabling mental injury’ makes it much harder to do the things you would normally do, such as working, studying, seeing friends or having a relationship. It must last at least 6 weeks and be diagnosed by a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist.

How to apply

It does not cost anything to apply. You do not have to use a legal adviser; if you choose to use one, you cannot claim the cost back. If someone represents you on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis, they will usually keep a share of your payment, so CICA suggests checking how much before you agree.

Free help with applying may be available from local support organisations and charities or, if you belong to one, your trade union. You can also ask a friend or relative to apply for you.

You can apply online. The service times out if you stop using it for 30 minutes. If you may need breaks, a GOV.UK One Login lets you save your application and come back to it later; you can create one as you start.

Start or continue a claim on GOV.UK →

If you need help applying, for example because you don’t feel confident using a computer or don’t have internet access, you can contact CICA’s helpline.

Medical evidence

CICA will tell you if it needs medical evidence. You may have to pay your GP or another medical professional for it; if that costs more than £50, CICA will refund the extra. If you cannot afford it, you can ask CICA for help. You will not have to pay for any further evidence that CICA asks for.

How long it takes

You will usually get a decision within 12 months, but it can take longer. CICA will only contact you if it needs more information or to tell you the outcome.

If you disagree with a decision

You can ask CICA in writing to review a decision. It must receive your request within 56 days of the decision. If you need more time, you can ask for an extension of up to 56 more days, but the time limit can only be extended once. A different claims officer looks at the claim again, and the review can lead to a higher payment, a lower one or none at all.

If you disagree with the review, you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Criminal Injuries Compensation), which must receive your appeal within 90 days of the review decision. The tribunal is independent of CICA. It can also increase or reduce an award. GOV.UK explains how to appeal to the tribunal.

Things that can affect a claim

If you have an unspent criminal conviction, an award may be refused or reduced. CICA’s own guide to the scheme explains how this works.

Your conduct before, during or after the crime can also affect an award. CICA does not hold it against you that you had been drinking or taking drugs, where that made you more vulnerable to the crime.

If the crime happened in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has its own criminal injuries compensation scheme, run by Compensation Services.

• You may be able to claim if you were injured in an act of violence in Northern Ireland. The offender does not have to have been convicted, or even charged.
• Victims of historical sexual abuse can apply, including for abuse before May 2002.
• You should apply within 2 years of the incident. An application may still be accepted later if it wasn’t reasonable to expect you to apply within that time.
• Compensation Services’ service is free. Victim Support NI can give you free help with your application. You can pay a solicitor, but you cannot claim the cost back.
• If you disagree with a decision, you can ask for a review within 3 months. If you disagree with the review, you can appeal to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel for Northern Ireland within 3 months of the review decision.

nidirect explains how to claim in Northern Ireland.

You don’t have to do this alone

Applying can bring up difficult memories. The organisations in our Support Directory offer support, whatever you decide to do. Some people also choose to use a solicitor. You don’t have to, and the section on applying explains the cost.

If money is a worry while you wait, read money, benefits and housing.

Where this information comes from

• GOV.UK: Claim compensation if you were the victim of a violent crime
• GOV.UK: Criminal injuries compensation, a guide (CICA)
• GOV.UK: Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 (amended)
• GOV.UK: Criminal injuries compensation tribunal
• nidirect: Claiming compensation for criminal injuries

Checked on 6 October 2026. Rules can change, so always check the official pages before you apply.