What is a CICA claim?

A CICA claim is an application for compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, which runs the government-funded Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012. It exists to support blameless victims of violent crime in England, Scotland and Wales. 

CICA looks at whether a crime of violence happened, like an assault, sexual offence, domestic abuse, threats of immediate harm or certain types of arson, and whether you meet the scheme’s eligibility rules around injury, reporting, cooperation, residency, conduct and any criminal record.

CICA is separate from civil claims or insurance. We don’t run the scheme, but we can help you understand if you might qualify, prepare your application and explore other legal options if needed.

What Injures does CICA Cover?

CICA uses a tariff system with minimum thresholds. It can compensate:

• Physical injuries that meet the scheme’s minimum levels. Very minor, short-lived injuries might not qualify.
• Psychological injuries where there is a recognised mental health condition and evidence of a disabling impact over a set period, for example affecting work or daily life.

In more serious, long-term cases, CICA can sometimes consider loss of earnings and certain special expenses, if extra criteria are met.

CICA time limits – how long do you have to claim?

Understanding the time limits is one of the most important parts of a CICA claim. The rules can feel strict, but they aren’t always as straightforward as they first appear:

Standard CICA time limit for adults

The general rule is you usually need to apply within two years of the incident. In some abuse cases involving minors, the two-year period might start from the date the crime was first reported to the police, rather than when it happened. If you’re nearing the deadline or unsure when your two-year window began, try to get advice and apply as soon as you can.

CICA time limits for children and under-18s

For children, the rules work differently:

• If the crime was reported to the police while the child was under 18, a claim usually needs to be made before their 20th birthday.
• If the crime was not reported until after they turned 18, the standard rule applies: two years from the date of the first police report.

Parents or guardians can often make a claim on a child’s behalf. If there has been a long delay or complicated circumstances, the exceptional circumstances test may be applied.

How far back can you claim CICA for historic abuse?

There is no fixed cut-off year for historic abuse. However, CICA still requires:

• The abuse to have been reported to the police, and
• The claim to be made within two years of that first police report, unless exceptional circumstances justify a late claim.

The removal of the old “same roof rule” now allows some people who were abused before 1979 by someone living in the same household to claim when they previously could not.

Common worries about CICA eligibility and time limits

Many people worry they won’t meet CICA’s rules because of what happened afterwards. These concerns are common, and they do not automatically prevent a claim:

Can I claim CICA if there was no conviction?

You do not need a conviction to make a CICA claim. CICA makes decisions using the balance of probabilities, based on police records and other evidence. Many people claim successfully even when the offender was never charged or the case did not lead to a conviction, as long as there is enough evidence to support what happened.

Can I claim CICA if I have a criminal record?

Unspent convictions can lead to a reduction or refusal of an award, depending on how serious and recent the sentence was. This is a common issue for survivors whose later life has been affected by trauma, and you should not assume you are excluded. We can look at your conviction history, explain how CICA might view it and give realistic, sensitive advice.

What if I didn’t report the crime to the police straight away?

CICA expects crimes to be reported as soon as reasonably practicable, but it recognises that delayed reporting is common in domestic abuse and sexual offences. CICA will consider why there was a delay and whether it affects the available evidence. If you have not yet reported the incident and feel safe to do so, it’s best to report it and seek advice as soon as possible.

What if my injury is mainly psychological?

You can still claim. CICA compensates disabling psychological injuries, even without physical injury, if there is a recognised mental health condition and evidence of how it affects daily life or work. Feeling distressed alone may not be enough without a clinical diagnosis and clear documented impact.

Can I claim for abuse that happened many years ago?

Historic claims are possible. The key point is usually the date of the first police report, as the two-year limit generally runs from then. If you report many years later, CICA will apply the exceptional circumstances test.

Have the CICA rules changed recently?

There has been some confusion in recent years because civil time limits for certain child abuse claims have changed, but this is separate from CICA. At the time of writing, the CICA Scheme still applies the standard two-year time limit, alongside the existing exceptional circumstances test for late claims. There has been no general relaxation of the rules around criminal records or reporting.

There have been discussions about wider reform of the Scheme, but not all proposals have been adopted. Because guidance and policy can evolve, it is important to get up-to-date advice. We can explain how the current rules apply to your situation and whether CICA, a civil claim, or both may be options for you.