CICA Eligibility & Tariff Guide
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) pays compensation to victims of violent crime in Great Britain. It is a statutory scheme funded by the government rather than a court claim — meaning you do not need to identify, sue, or recover money from the person who attacked you. But the scheme has strict eligibility rules and a fixed tariff that sets compensation levels well below what civil courts would award for equivalent injuries. Understanding the eligibility tests and tariff structure helps you know whether to apply, what to expect, and when a civil claim may be a better route.
In this guide
- What Is the CICA Scheme?
- Who Is Eligible to Claim?
- The CICA 2012 Tariff
- Maximum Award
- Time Limits
- CICA vs Civil Claim — Which Is Better?
- Common Reasons CICA Refuses or Reduces Claims
- Common Questions About CICA Eligibility and Tariff
- Related Guides
- Our Partner's Fees Explained
- Check If You Could Claim Compensation For Your Injury
This guide explains who can claim CICA compensation, the 2012 tariff and how it works, the time limits, and the most common reasons CICA refuses claims.
What Is the CICA Scheme?
CICA was established in 1964 and operates today under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012. The scheme:
- Pays compensation for injuries caused by violent crime in England, Wales, and Scotland (Northern Ireland has a separate scheme)
- Does not require the offender to be identified, prosecuted, or convicted
- Pays from government funds rather than from the offender
- Uses a fixed tariff rather than the Judicial College Guidelines
- Has stricter eligibility tests than civil personal injury claims
- Has a shorter time limit (typically 2 years) than civil claims
See our criminal injuries compensation claims hub for the broader framework.
Who Is Eligible to Claim?
CICA eligibility has several layers. You must satisfy ALL of them:
1. The Injury Must Result From a Crime of Violence
The injury must be directly attributable to a crime of violence committed in Great Britain. The Scheme defines “crime of violence” broadly, covering:
- Physical assault — punches, kicks, strangulation, weapon attacks
- Sexual assault and rape
- Arson causing personal injury
- Robbery involving violence or threat of violence
- Domestic abuse with physical or psychological injury
- Child abuse — physical, sexual, or causing psychological injury
- Witnessing the immediate aftermath of a violent crime where psychiatric injury results (in some cases)
Crimes typically NOT covered:
- Most road traffic offences (separate rules apply for deliberate vehicle-as-weapon cases)
- Theft or burglary not involving violence
- Fraud and financial crimes
- Accidents during the commission of crime by the claimant
2. The Crime Must Be Reported to the Police
You must have reported the crime to the police as soon as reasonably practicable. CICA can refuse claims where reporting was delayed without good reason. There are limited exceptions for child claimants and for survivors of historic sexual abuse.
3. You Must Cooperate With the Investigation
You must cooperate with the police, prosecution, and CICA in their investigations and decisions. Refusing to give evidence, withdrawing a witness statement, or failing to attend court can lead to a reduced or refused award.
4. Your Character Must Not Disqualify You
CICA can reduce or refuse claims based on the claimant’s unspent criminal convictions. The 2012 Scheme uses a points system — convictions for offences resulting in custodial sentences typically disqualify the claim entirely; lesser unspent convictions typically reduce the award.
5. Your Conduct Must Not Have Contributed
Conduct before, during, or after the incident can lead to a reduced award. Examples:
- Starting the fight that led to your injuries
- Voluntary participation in mutual violence
- Being significantly intoxicated and behaving aggressively
- Failing to cooperate with police after the incident
6. You Must Apply Within the Time Limit
The standard time limit is 2 years from the incident. Different rules apply for child claimants and historic abuse — see Time Limits below.
The CICA 2012 Tariff
The CICA tariff is fixed by Parliament and has not been comprehensively updated since 2012, despite significant inflation since then. Tariff awards typically sit well below what civil courts would award for equivalent injuries. Example tariff figures:
Physical Injuries — Selected Examples
- Minor multiple injuries with disabling effects lasting up to 6 weeks — £1,000
- Fractured nose causing displacement requiring manipulation — £2,000
- Fractured rib — £1,000
- Fractured cheekbone (one) with no significant disfigurement — £1,500
- Loss of front tooth — £1,500
- Fractured jaw — minor — £1,000
- Fractured jaw — moderate (requiring fixation) — £3,500
- Fractured jaw — severe (multiple sites or permanent restriction) — £6,200
- Penetrating injury to eye with loss of vision — up to £33,000
- Total loss of sight in one eye — £22,000
- Total loss of sight in both eyes — £110,000
- Brain injury — minor — £1,500
- Brain injury — moderate — £22,000
- Brain injury — severe with continuing physical or mental disability — £55,000+
- Permanent paralysis (paraplegia) — £175,000
- Permanent paralysis (quadriplegia) — £250,000
Sexual Offences — Selected Examples
- Sexual assault — minor (non-penetrative) — £1,000 to £3,300
- Sexual assault — serious (e.g. minor penetration without injury) — £6,600 to £8,200
- Rape (single incident) — £11,000
- Rape with serious physical injury — £16,500 to £27,000
- Pattern of sexual abuse of a child (over a year) — £22,000
- Pattern of severe sexual abuse of a child — £44,000
Mental Injury
Where there is no qualifying physical injury, CICA may pay for mental injury where it is diagnosed by a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist:
- Mental injury lasting more than 6 weeks but less than 28 weeks (disabling) — £1,000
- Mental injury lasting 28 weeks to 1 year (disabling) — £2,400
- Mental injury lasting 1 to 2 years (seriously disabling) — £6,200
- Mental injury — permanent (seriously disabling) — £19,000 to £27,000
Loss of Earnings — Limited Recovery
CICA pays loss of earnings only:
- Where you have been incapable of any paid work for more than 28 weeks
- At the statutory sick pay rate, not your actual wage (a substantial limitation)
- Subject to the overall scheme maximum
This is a significant difference from civil claims, where loss of earnings is paid at actual wages without a 28-week waiting period.
Multiple Injuries
For multiple qualifying injuries, the highest tariff figure is paid in full, plus 30 per cent of the second-highest, plus 15 per cent of the third-highest. Further injuries are typically not separately compensated.
Maximum Award
The overall maximum award under the 2012 Scheme is £500,000 (general damages, special expenses, and loss of earnings combined). The vast majority of awards fall well below this. The highest awards typically involve catastrophic spinal injury, severe brain injury, or multiple serious injuries.
Time Limits
CICA time limits are much shorter than civil personal injury time limits:
- Adult claimants — 2 years from the date of the incident
- Child claimants — 2 years from their 18th birthday
- Historic abuse (incident before age 18) — 2 years from the first time the claimant reported the abuse to the police (a 2012 Scheme adjustment recognising delayed disclosure)
- Mental incapacity — extended time limits apply, similar to civil claims
CICA has discretion to extend time limits in exceptional circumstances but applications outside the time limits are routinely refused. Acting within 2 years is essential. See our time limits guide for the wider framework.
CICA vs Civil Claim — Which Is Better?
For most violent crime victims, CICA is the more practical route because the offender often has no money to satisfy a civil judgment. But where the offender is wealthy, insured (rare for deliberate crimes), or where a third party is also liable (employer, premises owner who failed in security duties), a civil claim may produce much higher compensation. The two routes can sometimes run in parallel.
Civil claim advantages over CICA:
- Compensation calculated under the Judicial College Guidelines — typically much higher
- Loss of earnings recovered at actual wages, not statutory sick pay rate
- No 28-week incapacity threshold for lost earnings
- Treatment costs recovered in full
- Future loss calculated using Ogden Tables
CICA advantages over civil claim:
- No need to identify, sue, or recover from the offender
- Funded by government regardless of offender wealth
- Simpler process with less evidence required
- Typically faster to resolve
Common Reasons CICA Refuses or Reduces Claims
- Failure to report the crime promptly
- Failure to cooperate with police or prosecution
- Unspent criminal convictions of the claimant
- Evidence the claimant contributed to the incident
- Application made outside the 2-year time limit without acceptable reason
- Injury not “directly attributable” to a crime of violence (e.g. injuries sustained while running away from a non-violent crime)
- Insufficient medical evidence of the injury or mental harm
A specialist solicitor can often address these issues before submission, or appeal a refusal. CICA appeals go to the First-tier Tribunal (Criminal Injuries Compensation).
Common Questions About CICA Eligibility and Tariff
Do I need to wait for the criminal case to finish before applying to CICA?
No. You can and should apply to CICA promptly — the 2-year time limit runs regardless of any criminal proceedings. CICA may pause its decision until the criminal case concludes, but the application itself should be submitted within the time limit.
Can I claim CICA if my attacker was not caught?
Yes. CICA does not require the offender to be identified or prosecuted. As long as you reported the crime to the police promptly and there is reasonable evidence the injury resulted from a crime of violence, the claim can proceed.
I was attacked years ago but only recently felt able to come forward. Can I still claim?
For incidents in childhood (under 18 at the time), the 2-year clock runs from when you first reported the abuse to the police — not from the incident itself. This 2012 Scheme adjustment recognises the well-documented delays in disclosing childhood abuse. For adult incidents, CICA has discretion to extend the time limit in exceptional circumstances, but late applications often fail. Take legal advice quickly.
I have a previous criminal conviction. Will that defeat my claim?
Possibly. The 2012 Scheme uses a points-based system. Unspent custodial sentences typically disqualify the claim entirely. Less serious unspent convictions reduce the award by varying percentages. Spent convictions are generally not held against the claimant. A specialist solicitor will assess your specific position.
Will my CICA award affect my benefits?
Yes, potentially. The award counts as capital for means-tested benefits assessment. A Personal Injury Trust can protect the compensation from benefits clawback. See our personal injury trusts guide.
How long does a CICA application take?
Typical CICA applications take 12 to 18 months to resolve. Complex cases involving disputed eligibility, historic abuse, or substantial mental injury can take 2 to 3 years. Appeals to the First-tier Tribunal add further time. See our how long does a claim take guide.
Do I need a solicitor for CICA?
Not legally — CICA applications can be made by the victim directly. But specialist solicitors achieve significantly higher awards in many cases, and the process can be complex (eligibility, character, conduct, evidence). Many specialist firms accept CICA cases on a no win no fee basis, with the success fee deducted from the award. See our how no win no fee works guide.
Related Guides
Criminal Injuries Compensation (CICA) Claims
CICA Time Limits & How to Apply
Personal Injury Trusts | Protecting Your Compensation
Personal Injury Time Limits Explained
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