Criminal injuries compensation (CICA)
Last updated · By Mustafa Bilgic
Compensation when there is no one to sue
Most compensation claims are brought against an insured wrongdoer — a driver, an employer, an occupier. But victims of violent crime often have no one with money to sue: the attacker may be unknown, untraced, or simply have no assets or insurance. For these victims, the UK government funds a separate route: the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), operating under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
CICA covers England, Scotland and Wales (Northern Ireland has its own scheme). It compensates people who suffer a criminal injury — physical or mental — directly attributable to a crime of violence, and certain relatives in fatal cases. Crucially, you do not need the offender to be convicted, or even identified, to receive an award.
Who is eligible
- You were a blameless victim of a crime of violence in Great Britain.
- You reported the crime to the police as soon as reasonably practicable.
- You cooperate with the police and the CICA process.
- Your own conduct, character or criminal record does not justify withholding or reducing the award.
How much CICA pays — the tariff
CICA awards are not calculated like court damages. They follow a fixed tariff set out in the Scheme, which lists a flat amount for each injury. The tariff runs from a minimum of £1,000 up to £500,000 for the most serious injuries, and a total award is capped at £500,000.
| Injury (example) | Tariff award |
|---|---|
| Minimum award threshold | £1,000 |
| Fractured nose (displaced) | £2,400 |
| Significant facial scarring | £3,500+ |
| Serious PTSD / mental injury | £13,500+ |
| Most serious, permanent injuries | up to £250,000 |
Indicative tariff examples only — the Scheme document is definitive. Where there are multiple injuries, a reduced percentage of the second and third is added.
Beyond the tariff: loss of earnings and care
For serious injuries that keep you off work for more than 28 weeks, CICA can also pay a loss of earnings supplement (calculated at a flat statutory rate, not your actual salary) and special expenses such as care, equipment and adaptations. These bring total awards in the gravest cases up towards the £500,000 cap.
CICA versus suing the offender
CICA is separate from a civil claim against the offender. If the attacker is identifiable and has assets or insurance, a civil claim (valued like any personal-injury claim) may yield more, because court damages are not tariff-capped. But for most violent-crime victims, where the offender cannot pay, CICA is the realistic route. You can apply directly to CICA without a solicitor, free of charge, via GOV.UK. See also pain and suffering and time limits.
How to apply to CICA
You can apply to CICA yourself, free of charge, through GOV.UK — you do not need a solicitor, though some people choose representation for complex or serious cases. The application asks for details of the incident, the police crime reference, and your injuries; CICA then obtains medical and police evidence and assesses the claim against the Scheme. Decisions can be reviewed and, if necessary, appealed to an independent tribunal.
When an award can be reduced or refused
CICA can reduce or withhold an award for reasons unrelated to the injury itself. Common grounds include a failure to report the crime to the police promptly, a failure to cooperate with the investigation or with CICA, the applicant's own conduct around the incident, and unspent criminal convictions that make an award inappropriate. These conditions are a deliberate feature of a publicly funded scheme. If the offender is identifiable and has means, a separate civil claim — valued like any personal-injury claim, without the tariff cap — may be the better route, or can run alongside.
Frequently asked questions
Who can claim criminal injuries compensation from CICA?
A blameless victim of a crime of violence in England, Scotland or Wales who reported the crime to the police as soon as reasonably practicable and cooperates with the process. You do not need the offender to be caught or convicted. Awards can be reduced or refused because of the applicant's own conduct, character or unspent criminal convictions.
How much compensation does CICA pay?
CICA pays from a fixed tariff, starting at a minimum of £1,000 and rising to £500,000 for the most serious injuries, with the total award capped at £500,000. Serious cases can also receive a loss-of-earnings supplement (at a flat statutory rate) and special expenses for care and equipment. The tariff sets a flat figure per injury rather than valuing it like court damages.
What is the time limit for a CICA claim?
Normally two years from the date of the incident, which is shorter than the three-year limit for suing a wrongdoer. Limited extensions are possible, and there are special provisions for victims of childhood abuse. Reporting the crime promptly to the police is also a condition, so it is important to act quickly.