Last Updated: 13 August 2026 I Reading Time: 6 – 7 minutes
Summary
Losing a loved one because of a violent crime can have devastating emotional and financial consequences. If a relative has died as a result of a murder or another violent crime, certain family members may be able to claim compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
The CICA is a government-funded scheme that provides compensation to eligible victims of violent crime and, in fatal cases, certain relatives of the person who died. Depending on the circumstances, compensation may include a bereavement payment, child’s payment, dependency payment and funeral payment.
No amount of compensation can undo the loss of a loved one. However, a CICA claim may provide financial support to eligible family members at an extremely difficult time.
Quick answer
Yes, you may be able to claim CICA compensation if a relative has been murdered, provided the death resulted directly from an injury caused by a violent crime and you meet the Scheme’s eligibility requirements. Depending on your relationship with the deceased and your circumstances, you may qualify for a bereavement payment, child’s payment, dependency payment or funeral payment. You will normally need to make the claim within two years of the incident, although exceptions can apply.
In this article
- Who can claim CICA compensation after a murder?
- What compensation can you claim?
- How much compensation could you receive?
- What is a qualifying relative?
- What are the time limits for a CICA fatal injury claim?
- Does the murder have to result in a conviction?
- What evidence will you need?
- What can affect a CICA claim?
- How GLP Solicitors can help
- Frequently asked questions
Key takeaways
- Certain relatives of someone who has died as a result of a violent crime may be able to claim CICA compensation.
- The death must generally have resulted directly from an injury sustained because of a crime of violence.
- Eligible relatives may be entitled to a bereavement payment.
- Additional compensation may be available for loss of parental services or financial or physical dependency.
- A funeral payment may also be available where the eligibility requirements are met.
- The current CICA Scheme provides a £11,000 bereavement payment where only one person is eligible, or £5,500 for each eligible claimant where more than one person may be entitled.
- Claims will normally need to be made within two years of the crime, although CICA can allow exceptions in certain circumstances.
- Eligibility can depend on your relationship with the deceased, your circumstances and the circumstances surrounding the crime.
Can you claim compensation if a relative has been murdered?
If your relative has died as a direct result of injuries sustained during a violent crime, you may be able to make a claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
The Scheme is administered by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) and applies across England, Scotland and Wales. It is government-funded, and the rules governing eligibility and compensation are set out in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012.
A murder can therefore give rise to a fatal injury claim, provided the circumstances meet the requirements of the Scheme.
It is important to understand that CICA compensation is not the same as bringing a civil claim against the person responsible. A CICA claim is made under a government compensation scheme for victims of violent crime and their eligible relatives.
Who can claim after the death of a relative?
Not every relative will automatically qualify for compensation.
The CICA Scheme defines certain people as “qualifying relatives”. These can include:
- A spouse or civil partner who was living with the deceased in the same household.
- A partner who was living with the deceased and had done so continuously for at least two years immediately before their death.
- A spouse, civil partner or partner who would otherwise qualify but did not live with the deceased because of ill health or infirmity.
- A spouse, civil partner or former spouse or civil partner who was financially dependent on the deceased.
- A parent of the deceased.
- A child of the deceased.
Importantly, the Scheme’s definition of a child is not restricted to someone under 18. Adult children can also fall within the definition of a qualifying relative.
However, there are restrictions. For example, a former spouse or civil partner and someone who was estranged from the deceased at the time of death will generally not qualify for a bereavement payment, although different rules can apply to dependency payments.
What compensation can you claim after a murder?
There are several types of compensation that may be available following a fatal criminal injury.
Bereavement payment
A bereavement payment recognises the loss suffered by certain qualifying relatives following the death of a loved one because of a violent crime.
Under the current Scheme:
- If only one person is eligible for a bereavement payment, the payment is £11,000.
- If more than one person may be eligible, the payment is £5,500 for each eligible claimant.
Eligibility is subject to the other requirements of the Scheme.
Child’s payment
A child under 18 who was dependent on the deceased for parental services may be entitled to a child’s payment.
This recognises the loss of things such as care, supervision, affection and support following the death of a parent.
The Scheme currently provides £2,000 for each year of the period from the date of death until the day before the child’s 18th birthday, calculated proportionately for part years. Additional amounts may also be available for certain expenses directly resulting from the loss of parental services.
Dependency payment
A dependency payment may be available where a qualifying relative was financially or physically dependent on the deceased when they died.
Financial dependency may arise where the deceased made a material financial contribution towards the relative’s upkeep.
Physical dependency can apply where the deceased was the relative’s main carer. This could include situations where the deceased provided significant help with personal care, preparing food, medication or keeping someone safe.
The amount will depend on the circumstances and the period of dependency.
Funeral payment
CICA may also contribute towards the cost of a funeral where a person has died as a result of a criminal injury.
A flat-rate payment of £2,500 may be available. Where the funeral costs more than this, a further payment may be available, taking the total funeral payment up to a maximum of £5,000, provided the additional costs meet the Scheme’s requirements and appropriate evidence is provided.
You do not necessarily have to be a qualifying relative to claim a funeral payment.
Does the murder have to result in a criminal conviction?
A criminal conviction is not necessarily required for a CICA claim.
CICA considers claims under the rules of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. The fact that someone has not been convicted does not automatically mean that a claim cannot be made.
However, the incident will normally need to have been reported to the police, and CICA will consider the available evidence when deciding whether the Scheme’s requirements have been met.
This means it can be important to obtain legal advice before assuming that a claim is impossible simply because there has been no conviction.
What is the time limit for a CICA fatal injury claim?
The usual time limit for making a CICA claim is two years from the date of the incident.
There can be exceptions in certain circumstances. For example, CICA may consider a claim made outside the usual time limit where the applicant could not reasonably have claimed earlier.
Because the rules around time limits can be complicated, it is sensible to seek advice as soon as possible rather than waiting until the deadline is approaching.
What evidence is needed for a CICA claim after a murder?
CICA will consider the evidence available when deciding a claim.
Depending on the circumstances, this could include information about:
- The incident and how the deceased sustained their injuries.
- The police investigation.
- The deceased’s relationship with the person making the claim.
- Financial dependency.
- Physical dependency or caring arrangements.
- The funeral and associated expenses.
- The deceased’s circumstances and any other information relevant to eligibility.
You do not necessarily need to have all the evidence available before seeking advice. A solicitor can help you understand what information is likely to be required and how it can support your claim.
Can CICA refuse or reduce compensation?
Yes. Meeting the basic requirements does not automatically guarantee compensation.
CICA can refuse or reduce an award in certain circumstances. For example, the Scheme allows CICA to consider the conduct of the deceased before, during or after the incident in certain circumstances.
There are also eligibility requirements relating to matters such as reporting the incident, cooperation with the police and the applicant’s circumstances.
For this reason, if CICA has refused a claim or offered less compensation than you believe should have been awarded, it may be possible to challenge the decision. CICA provides a process for applicants who want to ask for a decision to be reconsidered and, where appropriate, appeal it.
What if the victim died sometime after the crime?
A fatal injury claim is not necessarily limited to cases where someone dies immediately after an attack.
CICA’s guidance confirms that it may be possible to make a payment following a victim’s death where they had previously received compensation for their injury and subsequently died because of that injury. The position can be more complicated where the person died from another cause, so the circumstances need to be considered carefully.
If your relative initially survived a violent attack but later died from the injuries sustained, it is therefore important to obtain advice rather than assuming that the opportunity to claim has been lost.
Why seek legal advice about a fatal injury claim?
Making a CICA claim after the murder of a loved one can be particularly difficult because you may be dealing with grief, trauma, a police investigation and significant financial changes at the same time.
There can also be questions about who is entitled to claim, which payments may apply and what evidence is required.
Professional advice can help you understand whether you may qualify and ensure that important aspects of your circumstances are considered.
How GLP Solicitors can help
At GLP Solicitors, our specialist Criminal Injury Compensation team can advise eligible relatives about making a claim following the death of a loved one because of a violent crime.
We can help you understand:
- Whether you may be a qualifying relative.
- Which types of compensation may apply.
- What evidence may be required.
- Whether dependency or funeral payments could be available.
- The relevant time limits.
- What options may be available if CICA has refused your claim or made an award you believe is incorrect.
Every case is different, particularly where there are several relatives or questions about financial or physical dependency. Getting advice early can help you understand your position before important deadlines expire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. If your relative died as a direct result of injuries sustained during a violent crime, you may be able to claim under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. You must normally be a qualifying relative and satisfy the other requirements of the Scheme. Depending on your circumstances, you could potentially claim a bereavement payment, dependency payment or other compensation. A funeral payment may also be available.
A qualifying relative can include the deceased’s spouse or civil partner, certain long-term partners, parents and children. Certain financially dependent former spouses or civil partners can also qualify for dependency payments. The precise requirements depend on the relationship and circumstances. For example, a partner who was not married or in a civil partnership generally needs to have lived with the deceased continuously for at least two years immediately before the death.
The amount depends on the type of payment and the circumstances. A bereavement payment is currently £11,000 where only one person is eligible, or £5,500 for each eligible claimant where more than one person may qualify. Additional compensation may be available for child’s payments, financial or physical dependency and funeral expenses.
A conviction is not necessarily required to make a CICA claim. CICA considers whether the requirements of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme have been met and assesses the evidence available. The crime will normally need to have been reported to the police. If there has been no conviction, this does not automatically mean that you cannot claim, but the circumstances should be considered carefully.
The usual CICA time limit is two years from the date of the incident. There are limited circumstances in which CICA may allow a claim outside the usual time limit, so a late claim should not automatically be assumed to be impossible. If you are approaching the deadline, it is important to seek advice promptly.
Potentially. CICA may provide a funeral payment where someone has died as a result of a criminal injury. The current Scheme provides a flat-rate payment of £2,500, with a further amount potentially available where the funeral costs more, subject to the Scheme’s requirements. The overall funeral payment cannot exceed £5,000.
If CICA refuses your claim, you may have options to challenge the decision. CICA has a process for reconsidering decisions and, where appropriate, appealing a review decision. The reasons for refusal and the evidence available will be important when deciding what to do next. If you have received a refusal, obtaining legal advice promptly can help you understand whether there are grounds to challenge the decision.