Criminal injuries compensation: common questions

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

For the full picture, read our guide to criminal injuries compensation.

Who can apply

What is criminal injuries compensation?

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. The scheme in use now is 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.

Can I apply if I was sexually or physically abused?

The scheme covers sexual assault, and sexual or physical abuse, as well as physical injuries and disabling mental injuries. The same rules on reporting to the police apply, and there are special time limits if you were under 18 at the time (see below).

Does it matter where the crime happened?

The crime must have happened in England, Wales or Scotland. There is a different process if it happened in Northern Ireland or in another country.

Northern Ireland has its own scheme, run by Compensation Services. You should apply within 2 years of the incident, although an application may still be accepted later if it wasn’t reasonable to expect you to apply within that time. nidirect explains how to claim in Northern Ireland, and GOV.UK explains how to claim if the crime happened abroad.

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

Do I have to report the crime to the police?

Yes. 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.

Does the person who harmed me have to be caught or convicted?

No. 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.

CICA decides on the ‘balance of probabilities’, based on the evidence available. A criminal court decides on the basis of ‘beyond reasonable doubt’, which is a different test.

I have a criminal conviction. Does that matter?

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.

Our glossary explains what an unspent conviction is.

Time limits

What is the CICA time limit?

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.

I was under 18 when it happened. How long do I have?

If you were under 18 at the time, your application must be received by your 20th birthday if the crime was reported to the police before you turned 18, or within 2 years of the first report to the police if it was reported on or after your 18th birthday. You can ask CICA to extend these time limits, with evidence of why you could not apply earlier.

The person who harmed me lived with me as family, a long time ago. Can I apply?

If the crime happened between 1 August 1964 and 30 September 1979 and you lived with the person who harmed you as a family member at the time, you may still be able to claim. Claims like this were once ruled out by the ‘same roof’ rule, which was removed in 2019. This includes people who applied before and were refused because of that rule. The deadline for these claims was 13 June 2021, but CICA can consider later applications in exceptional circumstances.

Cost and payments

Does it cost anything to apply, and do I need a legal adviser?

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 may be available from local support organisations and charities or, if you belong to one, your trade union.

How much could I 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.

Can I apply because of a mental injury?

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.

Who pays for 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.

Applying and decisions

How do I apply?

You can apply online on GOV.UK. You will be asked for details such as the date and place of the crime, the police force you reported it to and your crime reference number.

Start or continue a claim on GOV.UK →

If you need support with applying, CICA’s helpline is on 0300 003 3601 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 3pm; from outside the UK +44 (0)203 684 2517; Relay UK 18001 then 0300 003 3601).

How long does a CICA claim take?

You will usually get a decision within 12 months, but it can take longer. A final decision may not be possible while your medical treatment is ongoing, or before it is known how far you will recover. If CICA has decided you are eligible but cannot make a final decision yet, it may consider an interim payment.

CICA will only contact you if it needs more information or to tell you the outcome.

What if I disagree with the decision?

You can ask CICA in writing to review it. CICA 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. The review can lead to a higher payment, a lower one or none at all.

How do I make a CICA appeal?

If you disagree with the review decision, you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Criminal Injuries Compensation). The tribunal must receive your appeal within 90 days of the review decision. If you miss the deadline, you can explain why you are late, for example if you are waiting for medical reports.

The tribunal is independent of CICA. It can keep the review decision, increase or reduce your award, decide you should not get anything, or send your case back to CICA. It may decide your appeal from the papers or at a hearing. You can represent yourself.

The tribunal helpline, 0300 790 6234 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm; webchat and email too), can help you apply, but it cannot give legal advice. GOV.UK explains how to appeal to the tribunal.

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.

Looking for a different question? Go back to common questions.

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.