Can I Make a CICA Claim?

If you are the survivor of a violent crime, you may be entitled to compensation via the Government funded Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (CICA). Whilst nothing will change what has happened, compensation can enable you to move forward, seek any required support and rebuild your life.

Through the CICA scheme, survivors can claim for acts of abuse and psychological injuries suffered as well as loss of earnings.

Who is eligible?

• Survivors of Sexual abuse
• Survivors of Physical abuse
• Survivors of Historical abuse
• Survivors of domestic violence
• Victims of attacks

Time Limits

• If under the age of 18 at the time of the incident and it was reported to the police at the time then an application should be submitted before their 20th Birthday
• If under the age of 18 at the time of the incident and it was not reported to the police at the time, then an application should be submitted within 2 years of the date it was reported to the police.
• If the applicant was an adult at the time of the incident then an application must be submitted within 2 years of the incident date.

If you are outside of the time period to bring a claim, the CICA may use their discretion to consider applications submitted late. They will consider whether there were exceptional reasons why an application could not have been made earlier. 

Tips for making a claim

• Make a note of the crime reference number
• Make a note of all treatment you have received as a result of any physical or mental injuries
• Keep receipts if you have incurred any expenses
• If you have not been able to work as a direct result of the incident you may be able to claim loss of earnings.  There are some exceptions but you would need to show some employment history before the incident and be off work for longer than 28 weeks.
• Continue to support the police investigation

Claims are made to the Government scheme and do not involve the perpetrator of the crime, so claims can be made in confidence without the worry of having further contact with the perpetrator/s.

Do you need a Solicitor

No you do not need a Solicitor in order to make a claim to the CICA.  However, having a Solicitor to assist you with your claim can be beneficial and improve your changes of obtaining the correct level of compensation.  At Jordans we have a dedicated Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) department who offers confidential advice and guidance through the CICA claims process from start to finish.

We can also assist if you have already submitted your application and feel expert guidance would now be beneficial whether that is due to receiving a rejection, advising on an award, lodging a Review or an Appeal.

Throughout the process we can anticipate what evidence the CICA will require and we will take the burden of trying to contact the different organisations yourself, such as the police, HMRC and medical practitioners and try and maximise the amount of compensation you are entitled to.