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Criminal Injuries Compensation
 

Compensation for the victims of violent crime

If you have been the victim of a violent crime in Great Britain you may be entitled to receive compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.

Who are the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA)?

CICA is the government body responsible for administering the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme in England, Scotland, and Wales. They are part of the Ministry of Justice and also provide a service on behalf of the Scottish Regional Government.

It operates out of offices in the centre of Glasgow and currently employs over 450 staff.

Am I eligible for Criminal Injuries Compensation?

You may be eligible to apply if:

  • You have been injured seriously enough to qualify for at least our minimum award (£1,000).
  • You were injured in an act of violence in England, Scotland or Wales. An offender does not necessarily have to have been convicted of, or even charged with that crime.
  • You have made your application within two years of the incident that caused your injury.

But you will not be eligible if :

  • you were injured before 1 August 1964
  • you have already applied for compensation for the same criminal injury, under the 2008 Scheme or under any earlier Scheme operating in England, Scotland and Wales
  • the injury happened before 1 October 1979 and you and the person who injured you were living together at the time as members of the same family in the same household
  • the injury and the act of violence took place outside England, Scotland or Wales

You may also be refused or have you award reduced because of:

  • your behaviour before, during or after the incident in which you were injured
  • your criminal record
  • your failure to co-operate with the police or with the CICA
  • your delay in informing the police or other organisation or person of the incident

How CICA makes its decisions

It makes all decisions following a set of rules called the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. This Scheme provides a guide on eligibility and the level of payment that can be made. The current Scheme was introduced on 3 November 2008 and applies to any applications made on or after then. If your application was made before then different rules may apply.

How can I apply?

If you are ready to apply for compensation, you simply need to fill in out an application form.

Organisations such as Victim Support can offer you help with your claim.

What do I need to tell CICA?

Tell the CICA about the incident and your injuries

The main things they need to know are:

  • The location of the incident and the time and date it occurred.
  • A brief description of the incident.
  • The crime reference number the police gave you.
  • Details of the police officer who dealt with your case (their name and number).
  • Details of the police station where the officer that dealt with your case is based.
  • Details of the injuries you suffered.
  • The name, address and telephone number of your GP.
  • Names, addresses and telephone numbers of any specialists that dealt with you saw regarding your injuries.

Application forms

There are three core application forms and four extra forms covering, for example, people applying on behalf of a child or claiming for loss of earnings. You can either download the forms from the CICA website or request the relevant form by post.

Decide which core form you need: (If you are applying on behalf of someone else, you should fill in the form that applies to them) If you require further forms include those with the core form

The Core forms:

  • Injury due to a single violent crime
  • Injury following a period of abuse
  • A loved one was killed by a violent crime

Decide if you need any other forms :

The Additional forms

  • A claim for loss of earnings or special expenses
  • I am applying on behalf of someone under 18
  • I am applying on behalf of an adult who is legally defined as incapable of managing their own affairs
  • I am applying as a representative (e.g. solicitor)

Either print your forms or request them sent to you by calling the CICA, fill them in and post them to the address given at the top of the core form. If you fold the forms in half, they will fit in an A5 envelope and this will be cheaper to post.

If you need any assistance you can also get free confidential support from Victim Support, the national charity that helps people affected by crime.

Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals

There is also an appeals process should you disagree with the decision of the CICA

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel (known as the CICAP), look into appeals against decisions made by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). They only handle appeals compensation claims that were made on or after 1 April 1996 under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.

Criminal injuries compensation claims are determined by the First-tier Tribunal of the Tribunals Service, which is a new statutory body that was established by the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement (TCE) Act 2007.

   
 

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