Last Updated: 20 August 2026 I Reading Time: Approx. 6 minutes
Summary
Being the victim of a violent crime can have a lasting impact. Physical injuries, psychological trauma, time away from work and unexpected expenses can all make recovery more difficult.
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) administers a Government-funded compensation scheme for eligible victims of violent crime in Great Britain. Compensation may be available even where the offender has not been convicted, provided the requirements of the scheme are met.
A CICA claim cannot undo what happened, and receiving compensation does not guarantee emotional closure. However, for some victims, having their injuries formally recognised and receiving financial support can form an important part of moving forward.
Quick answer
Making a CICA claim can help an eligible victim of violent crime by providing financial compensation for qualifying physical or psychological injuries and, in some circumstances, loss of earnings and special expenses. The process can also give victims a sense that the harm they experienced has been formally recognised. However, a CICA award is not a finding of criminal guilt and should not be viewed as a guarantee of emotional closure.
In this article
- What is CICA?
- How can a CICA claim help after a crime?
- Recognition and validation
- Financial support following a violent crime
- Regaining a sense of control
- Psychological recovery and moving forward
- Who can make a CICA claim?
- How long do you have to make a CICA claim?
- What is happening with CICA claims in 2026?
- How GLP Solicitors can help
- Frequently asked questions
Key takeaways
- CICA is a Government-funded compensation scheme for eligible victims of violent crime in Great Britain.
- A claim can potentially cover physical and psychological injuries, depending on the circumstances.
- Additional compensation may be available for loss of earnings and certain special expenses where the scheme’s requirements are met.
- You do not necessarily need a criminal conviction for a CICA claim to succeed.
- In most cases, an application should be made within two years of the incident, although exceptions can apply in certain circumstances.
- The incident generally needs to have been reported to the police as soon as reasonably practicable, and applicants are expected to cooperate with the police investigation and criminal justice process.
- CICA is currently experiencing significant demand. Its 2025–26 annual report records more than 47,000 new claims, the highest number since the 2012 Scheme was introduced.
- Compensation cannot erase trauma, but for some victims it can provide financial support and formal recognition of the harm suffered.
What is CICA?
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice that administers the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
The scheme is designed to compensate eligible victims who have suffered physical or psychological injury as a result of a crime of violence. It operates across England, Scotland and Wales.
The scheme is different from a personal injury claim against the person responsible for the crime.
A CICA award is funded by the Government rather than being compensation paid directly by the offender. This means that, in appropriate circumstances, a victim may be able to receive compensation even when the offender cannot be identified, prosecuted or convicted.
However, there are detailed eligibility requirements. The fact that someone has been the victim of a crime does not automatically mean that CICA compensation will be awarded.
How can a CICA claim help after a violent crime?
The effects of violent crime can extend well beyond the immediate incident.
A victim may experience:
- Physical injuries.
- Anxiety or other psychological difficulties.
- Problems returning to work.
- Loss of income.
- Treatment or rehabilitation costs.
- Travel expenses connected with treatment.
- Changes to their everyday life and relationships.
A successful CICA claim can provide financial assistance towards some of these consequences, subject to the rules of the scheme.
But the potential benefits are not necessarily limited to the financial aspect.
Recognition and validation after a crime
For some victims, making a compensation claim can provide a sense that the impact of what happened to them has been formally acknowledged.
The CICA process requires information about the incident, the injuries suffered and the consequences for the victim. Medical and other evidence may also be relevant to the assessment of a claim.
This does not mean that CICA is deciding whether the offender is criminally guilty. Criminal guilt is a matter for the criminal justice system.
However, receiving an award can nevertheless provide a victim with recognition that they suffered an injury that falls within the scope of the compensation scheme.
For someone who has struggled to feel heard or supported following a crime, that recognition can be meaningful.
Financial support can reduce additional pressure
The financial consequences of violent crime can add another layer of stress to an already difficult situation.
For example, someone who is unable to work following an injury may face reduced income at the same time as dealing with medical treatment and recovery.
Depending on the circumstances, the CICA Scheme can provide compensation for qualifying injuries and may also provide certain additional payments, including for loss of earnings and special expenses where the relevant requirements are met.
The tariff used by CICA sets out specified amounts for different injuries. The Scheme includes awards ranging from lower-value injuries to very serious injuries, with the highest tariff awards reaching £250,000.
What could compensation help with?
Depending on eligibility, compensation may help a victim deal with financial consequences such as:
- Loss of earnings or earning capacity.
- Certain medical or treatment-related expenses.
- Special expenses arising from the injury.
- Costs associated with particular care or support needs.
The precise rules are important, so victims should not assume that every expense resulting from a crime will automatically be reimbursed.
Making a claim can provide a sense of control
Being the victim of a violent crime can leave someone feeling that control has been taken away from them.
Making a CICA claim can give victims a structured process through which they can explain what happened and provide evidence about its consequences.
For some people, taking this step can feel empowering.
It can be a way of actively addressing some of the consequences of the crime rather than allowing the incident to define what happens next.
That said, making a claim can also feel difficult or emotionally demanding. Victims may have to revisit aspects of an experience they would rather forget.
This is one reason why obtaining appropriate support throughout the process can be valuable.
A CICA claim does not require a criminal conviction
One common misconception is that an offender must be convicted before a victim can receive CICA compensation.
That is not necessarily the case.
The CICA Scheme has its own eligibility and evidence requirements. A criminal conviction is not, by itself, a prerequisite for every claim.
However, the incident generally needs to have been reported to the police as soon as reasonably practicable, and applicants are expected to cooperate as far as reasonably practicable with the police and the criminal justice process.
This means that victims should not necessarily assume that a failed prosecution or the fact that nobody was convicted means they cannot claim.
Psychological injuries can also be relevant
The consequences of violent crime are not always visible.
Someone may appear physically unharmed while experiencing significant psychological effects following an assault or other violent incident.
The CICA Scheme recognises certain psychological injuries, subject to its specific requirements and tariff.
Medical evidence can be important when establishing the nature and extent of an injury.
Victims should therefore seek appropriate medical or psychological support where they are experiencing difficulties after a crime. Medical treatment is important for the person’s wellbeing, but medical records may also help provide evidence of the impact of the incident where relevant to a claim.
How long do you have to make a CICA claim?
In most cases, an application should be made within two years of the incident. The CICA Scheme allows for claims outside the normal time limit in certain circumstances, including where there are exceptional circumstances and the evidence is sufficient for CICA to determine the claim without extensive further enquiries.
Victims should therefore avoid delaying an application simply because a criminal investigation or prosecution is still ongoing.
The conclusion of criminal proceedings does not necessarily need to be awaited before making a CICA application.
There are also specific rules for some circumstances, including claims involving children and certain historical cases.
If you think you may be eligible, it is sensible to seek advice as soon as possible rather than waiting until the deadline approaches.
What evidence is needed for a CICA claim?
CICA considers the evidence available when deciding whether a claim meets the requirements of the Scheme.
Depending on the circumstances, relevant evidence may include:
- Police information about the incident.
- Medical records.
- Reports from medical or psychological professionals.
- Evidence of loss of earnings.
- Receipts or other evidence relating to eligible expenses.
- Information explaining how the injury has affected your daily life.
Applicants are expected to provide relevant information and cooperate with requests for evidence.
It is important to give accurate information and keep relevant documents throughout the claim.
What is happening with CICA claims in 2026?
CICA is currently dealing with very high demand.
Its Annual Report and Accounts for 2025–26, published in July 2026, states that CICA received more than 47,000 new claims during the year. This was the fifth consecutive year in which applications increased and represented the highest number of new claims since the 2012 Scheme was introduced.
CICA also reported that it paid more than £180 million in compensation during 2025–26. However, increased demand has affected processing times: just over six in ten applicants received a first decision within 12 months, compared with CICA’s target of seven in ten.
This is important for victims to understand. A CICA claim can take time, particularly where further evidence or information is required.
CICA says it has been making changes to improve the application experience, including improvements to its online service and communications with applicants.
Can making a CICA claim provide closure?
There is no single definition of “closure” after experiencing a violent crime.
For one person, closure may mean receiving compensation. For another, it may involve being believed, accessing therapy, feeling safe again or simply being able to move forward with everyday life.
A CICA award cannot undo what happened and should not be presented as a guaranteed route to emotional healing.
However, for some victims, the combination of formal recognition, financial support and taking an active step towards recovery can be an important part of moving forward.
The most important thing is that victims receive appropriate support for both the financial and emotional consequences of what they have experienced.
How GLP Solicitors Can Help
Making a CICA claim can involve detailed eligibility rules, evidence requirements and strict time limits.
GLP Solicitors can assist eligible victims in understanding the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, assessing the circumstances of a potential claim and supporting them through the claims process.
Our approach is focused on explaining the process clearly and helping clients understand what information and evidence may be required.
This can be particularly helpful where:
- You are unsure whether your injury qualifies.
- You are unsure whether you can claim because the offender was not convicted.
- You have suffered psychological as well as physical injuries.
- You have lost earnings because of your injuries.
- You are approaching the two-year deadline.
- CICA has rejected or reduced your claim.
- You want advice about requesting a review of a CICA decision.
GLP Solicitors’ specialist Criminal Injury Compensation Team can provide advice about your circumstances and the options that may be available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, potentially. A criminal conviction is not an absolute requirement for a CICA claim. The CICA Scheme has its own eligibility and evidence requirements, and the circumstances of the incident must meet the definition of a crime of violence under the Scheme. The incident will generally need to have been reported to the police and the applicant must cooperate as far as reasonably practicable with the investigation and criminal justice process.
In most cases, you should apply within two years of the incident. CICA can consider applications outside the normal time limit in certain exceptional circumstances, but this should not be relied upon. The CICA’s guidance and Scheme contain specific rules for different situations, including some claims involving children and historical abuse.
Potentially, yes. The CICA Scheme includes compensation for certain psychological injuries, subject to its eligibility requirements and tariff. Psychological injuries can sometimes be less obvious than physical injuries, so appropriate medical evidence may be important. If you have experienced psychological difficulties following a violent crime, you should consider seeking appropriate medical or therapeutic support.
There is no single amount that applies to every claim. CICA uses a tariff that assigns specified compensation amounts to qualifying injuries. Additional compensation may also be available for certain losses and expenses where the Scheme’s requirements are met. The highest tariff awards under the 2012 Scheme can reach £250,000, although the amount awarded depends entirely on the injuries and circumstances of the individual claim.
No. CICA is a Government-funded compensation scheme. An award is not compensation paid directly by the offender. This is one of the important differences between a CICA claim and certain civil personal injury claims, where compensation may be sought from a person or organisation legally responsible for an injury.
There is no fixed timeframe for every claim. Processing time can depend on the complexity of the case and how quickly CICA receives the information it needs. CICA reported in its 2025–26 annual report that just over six in ten applicants received a first decision within 12 months, reflecting the significant pressure created by increased demand.
If you disagree with a CICA decision, you may have the right to request a review of the decision. The Scheme contains specific deadlines for requesting a review, so it is important to act promptly after receiving a decision. Under the Scheme, a review application generally needs to be received within 56 days of the written determination, although an extension can be possible in exceptional circumstances.
Yes. Although it is possible to make a CICA application yourself, a solicitor can help you understand the Scheme’s eligibility requirements, identify relevant evidence, present your claim and deal with issues that arise during the process. Legal advice can be particularly useful where the circumstances are complicated, the claim involves psychological injury or loss of earnings, or CICA has already made an unfavourable decision.
Related Services
If you have been affected by a violent crime, other GLP Solicitors services may also be relevant depending on your circumstances: