Claim compensation if you were the victim of a violent crime

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1. Overview

You might be able to claim compensation if you were the victim of a violent crime. This includes if:

  • you were injured
  • a close relative died
  • you saw the crime happen to a loved one (or were there immediately afterwards)
  • you paid for the funeral of a person who died

You usually have to claim within 2 years of the crime. The crime must be reported to the police before you apply.

It does not cost anything to apply.

If you were injured trying to stop a crime

You might also be able to claim compensation if you were taking a ‘justified and exceptional’ risk trying to stop a crime. For example somebody was in danger and it was not a situation that you were trained to deal with.

Get practical and emotional support

Find support services that can help if you’ve been:

You can also get help and advice from your trade union.

2. Eligibility

The crime must have happened in England, Wales or Scotland. It must be reported to the police.

The process is different if the crime happened in Northern Ireland or the crime happened in another country.

When you can claim

In most cases you must apply within 2 years of the crime happening.

You may be able to claim for a crime that happened more than 2 years ago if one or both of the following apply:

  • you’re claiming because of childhood sexual or physical abuse
  • you could not claim earlier, for example because your mental or physical health stopped you

You may also be able to claim if the crime happened before 1 October 1979 and you lived with the attacker as a family member at the time of the incident. This was known as the ‘same roof’ rule and has changed.

Your nationality

You must have been one of the following when the crime happened:

You’re also eligible if you were ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK at the time of the crime. This depends on your connection to the UK, for example if you were living, working or studying there (or you were the family member of someone who was).

What you can get compensation for

You can get compensation for:

  • physical injuries
  • disabling mental injuries
  • sexual or physical abuse
  • the death of a close relative
  • paying for someone’s funeral
  • loss of earnings and expenses

Disabling mental injuries

A disabling mental injury is something that significantly affects your day-to-day performance at work or school, your relationships, or your sexual relationships. Mental injuries must be diagnosed by a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist.

Loss of earnings and expenses

You might get compensation for loss of earnings, or paid expenses to cover the cost of:

  • care, home adaptations or mobility aids
  • damage to physical aids, such as dentures, walking sticks or glasses

You usually have to be unable to work or have very limited ability to work for 28 weeks or longer to be eligible.

You will not be paid loss of earnings for the first 28 weeks you were unable to work.

You must have been employed when the crime happened or for the 3 years immediately before it. If you were not employed, you might still be eligible if you could not work, for example because you were in full-time education, retired or caring for someone.

3. Start or continue a claim

You can make a claim online. It does not cost anything to apply.

You do not have to use a legal adviser. If you choose to use one, you cannot claim the cost back.

What you need to apply

When you make a claim to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), you need to provide:

  • the date and location of the crime
  • the name of the police force you reported the crime to
  • your crime reference number
  • your GP’s name and address
  • your dentist’s name and address (if you had dental treatment because of your injuries)
  • details of any previous applications you’ve made to CICA
  • details of any unspent criminal convictions

You’ll be asked if you’ve tried to get compensation or other money you’re entitled to, for example:

  • by claiming benefits
  • through insurance payments
  • from a civil court claim
  • from a criminal court case (if the crime went to court)

Do not wait for the outcome of other claims before you apply.

If you’re applying for someone else

In some cases, you need to provide proof of your right to apply for someone else. This includes if the person you’re applying for:

  • is under 18 - you’ll need to have proof of parental responsibility, such as a full birth certificate or a court order
  • cannot handle their own affairs - you’ll need to have proof of legal authority to act on their behalf, such as power of attorney or a court order

Start or continue a claim

You’ll need a GOV.UK One Login if you want to save your application and return to it later. You’ll be able to create a GOV.UK One Login if you do not already have one.

The service will time out if you stop using it for 30 minutes or more.

Start or continue a claim

Help making your application

Contact the CICA helpline if you need help because you:

  • do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device
  • do not have internet access

CICA
Inside the UK: 0300 003 3601
Outside the UK: +44 (0)203 684 2517
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 3pm
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 0300 003 3601
Find out about call charges

You can ask a friend or relative to make an application on your behalf.

General enquiries

Email info@cica.gov.uk if you have a question about the claims process.

4. What happens next

You’ll get a reference number when you submit your claim. Use the reference number whenever you contact Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) about your claim.

Your claim will be assessed on:

  • the information you provided in your application
  • information from the police, including the evidence you gave them
  • your criminal record
  • medical evidence (if it’s needed)

CICA will contact you if they need more information and when they make a final decision.

Medical evidence

You’ll be told by CICA if you need to provide medical evidence. It can cost up to £50.

Contact CICA if you need help getting or paying for the evidence.

You might be asked for more evidence by CICA depending on your injury. This could involve an in-person assessment by an expert.

You will not have to pay for any additional evidence that CICA asks you to provide.

CICA
Inside the UK: 0300 003 3601
Outside the UK: +44 (0)203 684 2517
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 3pm
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 0300 003 3601
Find out about call charges

If you and your legal adviser disagree about how much money you owe them, you normally will not be paid your compensation in full until you resolve this.

Disagreeing with a decision

Write to CICA and ask them to review a decision if you disagree with it.

CICA

10 Clyde Place

Buchanan Wharf

Glasgow

G5 8AQ

If you disagree with the outcome of CICA’s review, you can appeal to the criminal injuries compensation tribunal.

5. Update a claim you’ve submitted

You must contact the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) to update your claim if you have new information or if something changes. This includes if:

  • ​​your contact or personal details change
  • you stop using or change a representative
  • you get compensation or money from another source

When you contact CICA, you will need to give the victim’s:

  • name
  • date of birth
  • address
  • claim reference number

CICA
info@cica.gov.uk
Inside the UK: 0300 003 3601
Outside the UK: +44 (0)203 684 2517
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 3pm
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 0300 003 3601
Find out about call charges

You can find out how your data will be handled in the CICA privacy notice.

6. If you’re a victim who lived with the attacker before 1 October 1979

The deadline to apply for compensation was 13 June 2021 if you were a victim of violent crime and:

  • the crime happened between 1 August 1964 and 30 September 1979
  • you lived with the attacker as a family member at the time of the incident (this was known as the ‘same roof’ rule)

Claims made after the deadline

You may still be able to claim if you can show you were unable to apply before 13 June 2021 and you either:

  • were a child at the time of the crime
  • could not apply earlier because of exceptional circumstances (you must provide enough evidence so your claim can be decided without further extensive enquiries)

If you’ve made a claim before

If you’ve made a claim before but it was refused or reduced because of the ‘same roof’ rule you can reapply for compensation if you’re eligible. The ‘same roof’ rule does not apply anymore.

How to make a claim

You can make a claim online or on the phone by calling Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). You can also call CICA to arrange a time for someone to take your claim over the phone.

CICA
Inside the UK: 0300 003 3601
Outside the UK: +44 (0)203 684 2517
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 3pm
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 0300 003 3601
Find out about call charges