About the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA)

Information about the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA)

If you have suffered injury or harm as a result of a criminal act, you may be able to claim compensation under a government scheme managed by a body called the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). Here we explain all you need to know about the CICA with some information on how to make a claim.

Please click to select the query or section required:

• About the CICA and what do they do
• How long have the CICA been running the scheme?
• More details about the CICA
• How many criminal injury claims do the CICA deal with annually?
• How to make a claim to the CICA
• CICA compensation eligibility rules
• Do you need legal representation to make a claim
• How long do claims take?
• How much compensation can you claim under the CICA scheme?

Call us to discuss your CICA case today - 01423 593 002 or complete our enquiry form

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About the CICA and what do they do

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (known as the CICA) is a government agency that handles criminal compensation claims throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

The CICA operate the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme which is a legal framework allowing the government to properly administer public funds to compensate innocent victims of crime.

How long have the CICA been running the scheme?

The CICA have administered the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme since its introduction in 1964. They have provided an invaluable outlet for innocent victims of violent crime to obtain compensation.

More details about the CICA

Around 450 staff are employed by the CICA in Glasgow to help administer the scheme and determine applications for compensation. The CICA claims handling teams are broken down into regions and handle many thousands of new cases each year.

How many criminal injury claims do the CICA deal with annually?

The number of claims will fluctuate every year but during the period 2023/2024 41,000 applications for personal injury compensation were made and the body spent £150m on compensation payments. The number of applications received during 2024 increased by 11% as compared to the year prior.

Around 19% of cases involve sexual abuse claims or rape compensation cases. This provides a much needed resource for the general public, helping them through experiences that most people hope never to encounter.

How to make a claim to the CICA

If you have been a victim of crime and suffered physical or psychological harm as a direct consequence, you may be eligible to claim compensation. Your claim can be submitted online here directly to the CICA or you can seek legal representation.

CICA compensation eligibility rules

The scheme has very strict eligibility rules which you should be aware of before you consider submitting your claim. Read more here about why some claims are refused.