At a glance
- You might be eligible for CICA compensation if you were the victim of a violent crime in England, Scotland or Wales
- You usually need to have reported the crime to the police and have a crime reference number
- The standard CICA claim time limit is 2 years from the date of the incident
- Exceptions to the 2-year rule can apply, including:
- Childhood sexual or physical abuse
- Domestic abuse where reporting was not safe
- Cases involving serious mental or physical health issues
- You can still claim even if the attacker was not caught or convicted
- Having an unspent criminal conviction does not automatically prevent a claim, but it may affect the outcome
- You can claim for psychological injury, even without physical harm, if supported by medical evidence
- Claims must meet the minimum tariff threshold, starting at £1,000
- CICA does not cover accidents or property crimes unless there was violence involved
To make a successful CICA claim, you’ll usually need to show that you were the victim of a violent crime in Great Britain, that it was reported to the police, and that you applied within two years of the incident.
However, there are important exceptions, especially for victims of childhood sexual abuse and people who couldn’t report or apply earlier because of the impact of what happened.
Not sure where you stand? You don’t have to figure it out alone. We’re here to help.
CICA eligibility – who can claim?
If you’re wondering whether you can claim, this checklist is a good place to start.
Eligibility checklist
You can usually claim criminal injuries compensation if:
- You were injured because of a crime of violence in England, Scotland or Wales. Under Annex B of the scheme, that includes physical attacks, violent threats causing fear of immediate violence, sexual assault and arson or fire-raising.
- You reported the incident to the police as soon as reasonably practicable or you can explain why that was not possible at the time. Paragraph 22 says CICA must consider your age, capacity and the effect of the incident when looking at delay.
- You apply within the normal 2-year CICA claim time limit, unless an exception applies. Paragraph 87 sets the standard rule and paragraph 89 gives limited discretion to extend time.
- Your injury appears in the tariff and is serious enough to attract an award. Injury awards start at £1,000. The tariff is the fixed list CICA uses to value injuries.
- You cooperate with CICA and, as far as reasonably practicable, with the police investigation.
Citizenship and residency
The rules here can be more complex than people expect.
CICA doesn’t assess claims based on presence in Great Britain alone. There are also nationality and residency requirements.
In general terms, you may qualify if you are:
- A UK resident
- A British citizen
- An eligible EU or EEA national
- A qualifying family member
- A member of the armed forces
- Or part of certain protected groups, such as some asylum seekers or trafficking victims
If you’re unsure, it’s worth checking. This is an area where early advice can help avoid problems later.
Children
A child cannot usually manage a claim themselves, but a parent or guardian with parental responsibility can apply on their behalf. If no application is made during childhood, special time limit rules may still allow a claim later.
Under paragraph 88, where the incident was reported to police before the child turned 18, the application usually needs to be made by their 20th birthday. If the first police report happened after age 18, the normal rule is within two years of that first report.
Victims with criminal records
Having an unspent criminal conviction doesn’t automatically prevent a claim.
However, it can affect the outcome. Depending on the circumstances, a claim may be reduced or refused.
Spent convictions are treated differently, which is why it’s important to look at your situation in detail rather than making assumptions.
Domestic abuse victims
Domestic abuse claims are not automatically barred. The historic same roof rule for certain older cases was removed in 2019, which allowed some survivors to apply or reapply.
For current cases, paragraph 20 does still say an award will not be made where the applicant and assailant were adults living together as members of the same family at the time, unless they no longer live together and are unlikely to do so again.
CICA also says it will look carefully at why a report to police was delayed, including the effect of the incident on the applicant.
Psychological injury only
You don’t need to have a physical injury to claim.
CICA can compensate for psychological injuries such as PTSD, anxiety or depression. However, the condition must be disabling and supported by clinical evidence.
In most cases, this means a diagnosis from a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist.
Simply describing symptoms isn’t usually enough on its own.
What crimes does CICA cover?
CICA covers crimes of violence. This can include:
- Physical assault
- Sexual assault
- Domestic abuse
- Stabbings or acid attacks
- Terror-related incidents
It can also include threats that cause fear of immediate violence and deliberate acts like arson.
CICA doesn’t usually cover:
- Property crimes such as theft or fraud
- Accidents
- Road traffic incidents, unless a vehicle was deliberately used to cause harm
If you’re unsure whether your situation qualifies, it’s worth asking. Some cases aren’t as clear-cut as they first appear.
How does the two year time limit work?
The standard CICA time limit is set out at paragraph 87 of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012. An application should be made as soon as reasonably practicable and, in any event, within 2 years of the date of the incident. You don’t need to wait for a police investigation or court case to finish before applying.
That said, there are exceptions. Paragraph 89 allows CICA to extend time where exceptional circumstances meant the application could not have been made earlier and there is enough evidence for the claim to be decided without extensive further enquiries. 
When the two year limit can be extended
The two year limit can be extended in the following situations:
- Childhood abuse
Late claims are often considered, especially where reporting was delayed. - Claims involving children
Different rules apply depending on age and when the incident was reported. - Domestic abuse
Delays in reporting may be understood where safety or coercion was an issue. - Serious mental or physical health issues
If your condition prevented you from applying earlier, your claim may still be considered. - Other exceptional circumstances
CICA has limited discretion, but strong supporting evidence is essential.
If you’re outside the usual time limit, don’t assume you can’t claim. But it’s important to act quickly, as evidence becomes harder to gather over time.
What is not covered by CICA?
CICA doesn’t usually cover:
- Property loss or damage on its own, such as theft or criminal damage to belongings
- Accidental injuries, because the scheme is for violent crime rather than accidents
- Road traffic accidents unless a vehicle was deliberately used to injure someone
- Injuries sustained outside England, Scotland and Wales (unless specific rules apply)
- Injuries below the minimum tariff threshold
- Claims where the applicant’s own conduct makes an award inappropriate, for example where they willingly took part in a fight or were wholly responsible for what happened
That doesn’t mean every borderline case will fail. It means the facts matter and the scheme has to be applied carefully.
Do I need to have filed a police report?
In most cases, yes.
CICA usually requires the incident to be reported to the police. Without this, a claim is unlikely to succeed.
Reporting it to an employer or doctor isn’t enough on its own.
If the report was delayed due to fear, trauma or control by the offender, CICA may still consider the claim. It will look at your individual circumstances, including your age, capacity and the impact of what happened.
Speak to Injury Lawyers 4u about your eligibility
If you’re unsure whether you meet the CICA eligibility criteria or whether you’re still within the CICA claim time limit, it’s worth seeking advice as soon as possible.
The rules around late applications, domestic abuse and criminal records aren’t always straightforward. Many people assume they can’t claim when they actually can.
At Injury Lawyers 4u, we can:
- Assess whether you meet the eligibility criteria
- Check if the time limit applies or could be extended
- Explain what evidence you’ll need
- Help you decide what to do next
Your initial assessment is free and there’s no obligation to proceed. If you are unsure, ask. It could make the difference between making a valid claim and missing your opportunity. Simply get in touch with us to begin.
CICA claim eligibility FAQs
What is the time limit for a CICA claim?
The standard time limit is 2 years from the date of the incident. However, exceptions can apply, particularly in cases involving childhood abuse, vulnerable individuals or situations where it wasn’t possible to apply earlier.
Can I still claim if the crime happened more than two years ago?
Possibly. CICA can extend the time limit in certain circumstances. You’ll usually need to explain the delay and support it with evidence, especially in cases involving trauma, abuse or serious health issues.
Can I claim CICA compensation if the attacker was never caught?
Yes. You don’t need the attacker to be identified or convicted. However, you must still have reported the incident and cooperated as far as reasonably possible.
Am I eligible if I was attacked outside the UK?
Usually not. The scheme generally covers incidents in England, Scotland and Wales. Different rules may apply in limited circumstances, and Northern Ireland has a separate compensation scheme.
Can victims of domestic violence claim CICA compensation?
Yes, in many cases. These claims aren’t automatically excluded. CICA will consider the circumstances, including living arrangements, reporting and supporting evidence.
What if I have an unspent criminal conviction?
You may still be able to claim. However, an unspent conviction can lead to a reduced award or refusal depending on the details. It’s important to get advice based on your specific situation.