Skip to content 
Last Updated 15th April 2026. If you’re wondering ‘How long does a CICA claim take?’, the Criminal Injury Compensation Authority (CICA) generally aims to assess cases within 12 months. However, complex cases may take longer to ensure that any settlement reflects the enduring impact and severity of an injury. Once a formal offer has been accepted, the CICA will usually issue payment within 20 working days. Criminal injury compensation is based on a fixed tariff, with awards of up to £500,000 for multiple serious injuries and financial losses.
If you have been the victim of a violent crime and meet the CICA’s eligibility requirements for claiming, you may be able to pursue compensation with support from one of our solicitors. At Advice, we possess a deep understanding of the process and will ensure your application includes all necessary evidence. We will also manage all correspondence with the CICA on your behalf and assist with preparing documentation, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
Your Need To Know Questions Answered
- How long will my CICA claim take? The CICA aim to assess cases within 12 months, but more complex cases may take longer.
- How long does it take for CICA to pay out? Once you accept their offer, the CICA aim to pay you within 20 working days.
- What factors could impact the length of my CICA claim? Factors such as the severity of your injuries, your recovery period, the impact on your quality of life and the availability of evidence may affect how long your claim takes.
- Can CICA reject a claim? Yes, CICA can reject a claim if there is insufficient evidence that a crime or an injury occurred, or if the claim is brought outside of the 2-year limitation period.
- Can I still claim even if the perpetrator has not been caught? Yes, you can still make a claim regardless of whether the perpetrator has been caught or not; nevertheless, you must ensure that the crime was reported to the police.
To see how we could help you with your CICA claim, you can contact us today.
- Calling for free on 0161 509 2856
- Filling out our contact form
- Using our free live chat service
Chat With Us Today
Select A Section
- How Long Does Criminal Injuries Compensation Take To Come Through?
- When Could You Make A CICA Claim?
- What Types Of Criminal Injury Could I Claim Compensation For?
- Examples Of CICA Payouts
- What Evidence Do I Need To Support My CICA Claim?
- Could I Claim Special Expenses?
- Time Limits For A CICA Claim
- How Advice Can Help You Through The CICA Claim Process
- Can I Make A CICA Claim With Advice On A No Win No Fee Basis?
- Resources
How Long Does Criminal Injuries Compensation Take To Come Through?
If you are considering making a criminal injury claim, you may be wondering, “How long does criminal injuries compensation take to come through?” It is important we emphasise that there is no set timeframe for criminal injuries compensation to be paid out.
Factors that can influence how long it takes to receive compensation include:
- How severe your injuries are and what medical treatment you require.
- The duration of the police investigation.
- Acquiring relevant evidence from the Police and healthcare providers.
On its website, the CICA states that it aims to assess and resolve the majority of cases within 12 months. However, they also state that more complex cases may take longer than this. Once you accept the compensation offer, the CICA aim to pay this out within 20 working days.
If you have any questions about the timescales in CICA claims or would like to get a free assessment of your eligibility, contact our advisory team today using the contact details provided above.
When Could You Make A CICA Claim?
You may be eligible to make a CICA claim for criminal injuries if the following applies:
- You were injured in a crime of violence.
- The crime of violence occurred in England, Wales, Scotland or another relevant place (such as onboard a ship registered to one of these countries).
- You have reported the crime that has caused your injuries to the police. A claim cannot be submitted to the CICA if the crime has not been reported to the police.
- You are starting your claim within the relevant time limit. You can find out more about the time limit for CICA compensation claims further on in this guide.
If all the above apply, then you may be able to start the process of a claim through the CICA, even if the assailant has not been convicted or caught.
To ask questions about claiming compensation from the CICA, contact our team for free today. Our advisors can answer questions such as “how long does a CICA claim take?” or discuss criminal compensation payouts with you.
What Types Of Criminal Injury Could I Claim Compensation For?
You can submit a CICA claim if you were the direct victim of a crime of violence in Great Britain and you suffered physical, psychological harm or both. You must meet specific criteria and be eligible for your case to be accepted under the Scheme.
If your case is accepted, the amount awarded is based on a tariff scheme and your injury must be listed in the CICA tariff of injuries. The sort of injuries accepted include the following:
- Sexual abuse
- Historic sexual abuse
- Rape
- Criminal attack
- Assault
- Grievous bodily harm
If you witnessed a loved one being assaulted, you may be entitled to claim compensation if you suffered mental trauma.
You could be entitled to claim if you were at the scene of the crime immediately after the incident. The definition of ‘immediate’ in this instance is the time straight after an assault that left a loved one injured. The mental injury must be a direct result of what you witnessed, and a report provided by a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist must accompany your claim.
For more information and free legal advice, please get in touch with a member of our team today.
Examples Of CICA Payouts
Compensation for victims of violent crime will be calculated using the fixed amounts in the tariff of injuries found in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012. You can claim for up to three injuries from the main tariff. However, your claim for criminal injuries compensation will be subject to the multiple injuries formula. You could receive:
- 100% of the tariff for the highest valued injury.
- 30% of the tariff for the injury with the second highest value, or one that is of equal value to the first.
- 15% of the tariff for the third injury, or one of equal value.
In addition, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme awards other payments that are not subject to this formula that you might qualify for. These include if you became pregnant, lost a pregnancy, or contracted a sexually transmitted disease (STD) as a result of the violent crime.
Our table below looks at a few of the tariffs that could be relevant to victims of violent crime . As every claim for criminal injuries compensation is different, the table is only for guidance and does not represent the overall value of your award. The top row in this table is the maximum amount the CICA will pay.
| Injury | Severity | Notes | CICA Tariff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple Serious Injuries and Expenses | Very Severe | CICA payouts may include compensation for multiple injuries, plus special expenses and loss of earnings. | Up to £500,000 |
| Brain Damage | Very Serious Brain Injury | For this tariff, the injured party requires full time nursing care due to their symptoms, including lacking useful physical movement, some effect on senses but with some degree of insight, little or no meaningful responses to their surroundings and double incontinence. | £250,000 |
| Major Paralysis - Paraplegia | Substantially Complete | This tariff compensates for substantially complete motor function and/or sensory function impairments in the lower limits. | £175,000 |
| Hand | Loss | This tariff compensates for the loss of, or lost functioning of both hands. | £110,000 |
| Fingers and Thumbs | Loss | The claimant has lost both of their thumbs. | £55,000 |
| Kidney | Serious | For this tariff, the injured party would have suffered serious and permanent damage to either both kidneys or their remaining kidney. This tariff also covers the loss of both kidneys. | £55,000 |
| Ear | Deafness | This tariff compensates for permanent deafness in both ears. | £44,000 |
| Tongue | Loss | The claimant has lost their tongue. | £44,000 |
| Hip | Significant Disability | This tariff applies to continuing significant disability as a result of fractures or dislocations to both hips. | £16,5000 |
| Femur (Thigh Bone) | Significant Disability | The claimant suffers continuing significant disability as a result of fractures to both legs. | £11,000 |
In addition, you might also be eligible for payments covering special expenses and your loss of earnings. We will look at this shortly. If you have any questions about how much you could be awarded from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, please speak to a member of our advisory team.
Amounts From The CICA – Should I Accept The First Offer?
From our experience, we would recommend that you consider whether the criminal injuries compensation you have been offered is enough and whether it covers any special expenses incurred because of your injuries.
Although the CICA has set compensation amounts outlined in the criminal injury compensation tariff, you may feel your injury has been miscategorised. This can be true if you have suffered psychological injuries, which might prove difficult to diagnose.
However, our solicitors could help you gather more evidence to boost the compensation amount offered by the CICA. A psychological assessment could be arranged to prove the extent of any mental health harm.
Get in touch if you would like to work with one of our expert No Win No Fee solicitors. They can help you collect supporting evidence for your CICA psychological injury claim.
Could I Claim Special Expenses?
The authority could pay special expenses if:
- They are necessary
- You incurred the expense as a direct result of the injury you are claiming for
- Be reasonable
Special expenses cover the financial repercussions of the injuries you have suffered. They are intended to help you cope with any financial fallout that has been caused by your injuries. But the CICA will only cover the cost when it cannot be covered elsewhere through the NHS and benefits system for example.
Other things you may be able to include in a claim are:
- Physical aids include specially-adapted vehicles, walking aids, wheelchairs, and kitchen implements which are absolutely necessary and not just ‘desirable’ and which cannot be sourced elsewhere free of charge
- Home adaptations on the interior and exterior of your property, with proof that these are necessary and that similar adaptations cannot be sourced elsewhere
- Care costs include help with bathing, toileting and incontinence management, meal preparation, and supervision. You must prove that the care required cannot be provided free of charge from another source
- Loss of earnings, or earning capacity, because you are unable to work for longer than 28 weeks
The CICA would need a copy of your assessment needs, which your local authority would provide. This assessment shows the things which the NHS or local authority is unable to provide.
Payments through an insurance policy would be deducted from the amount you receive in special expenses as well.
A No Win No Fee lawyer can assist you when making a claim for compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. For more assistance, please call a member of our team today.
Chat With Us Today
What Evidence Do I Need To Support My CICA Claim?
In order to make a CICA claim, you must provide evidence in support of your case. This can include:
- Your police reference number (this shows that you reported the incident)
- Medical proof of the injuries you suffered due to the incident (such as your medical records)
- Proof that you meet the residency requirements to make a CICA claim
The CICA can contact the police if they need any further information regarding the incident. If you would like to discuss the evidence that is required for CICA claims, do not hesitate to contact our advisors. If you are wondering, ‘How long does a CICA claim take?’, they can also explain the answer in relation to your specific case.
Time Limits For A CICA Claim
You have to submit your claim within 2 years from the date of an assault that left you injured to make a claim through the CICA. That said, time limits can be extended when exceptional circumstances apply.
If you are unsure as to whether you still have time to submit a claim to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, please contact a member of our team who would be happy to assess your case before advising you on how best to go forward.
Exceptions To The Two-Year Time Limit
You can submit a claim after the 2-year time limit expires, but only in exceptional circumstances, or the following applies to your case:
- You are a minor
- The case involves historic sexual abuse
To discuss a claim through the CICA, and for free legal advice, please contact one of our advisors today.
How Advice Can Help You Through The CICA Claim Process
At Advice, our solicitors can help you through the CICA claim process by offering experienced representation focused on complete client care. We understand that victims of violent crime need more than legal guidance, and that is why Advice prioritises the emotional recovery and long-term wellbeing of every client.
With Advice, you benefit from the following:
- Expert case management, including handling correspondence with the CICA and ensuring every requirement for claiming is met.
- Regular case updates so you know precisely where your criminal injury claim stands at every milestone.
- Clear, transparent answers to any questions you might have, such as ‘How long do the CICA take to pay out once an offer is accepted?’
- Connections with specialist counsellors and physiotherapists who provide trauma-informed support to victims of violent crime.
- Thorough assessment of your injuries and losses to ensure they are accurately valued under the CICA’s tariff scheme.
To discover more about the benefits of claiming with Advice, please get in touch with our friendly team today.
Can I Make A CICA Claim With Advice On A No Win No Fee Basis?
Yes, you can make a CICA claim with Advice on a No Win No Fee basis through a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This means there is no requirement to pay solicitor services through the claim, including:
- At the start of your case
- As it progresses
- In the event that it’s unsuccessful
Should your criminal injury claim be successful, you will pay a success fee to your solicitor. This fee is taken as a capped percentage of your compensation, so the bulk would go to you.
If you have any questions, such as ‘How long do CICA claims take?’, contact us today:
- Call for free on 0161 509 2856
- Fill out our contact form
- Use our free live chat service
Resources
- The link below explains the eligibility for making a CICA claim: Eligibility explained
- More information on special expenses paid out by the CICA: Claiming special expenses
- To find out whether you can claim loss of earnings, please follow the link below: Claiming lost earnings
We hope you found this guide helpful. If you have any further queries about how long a CICA claim could take, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at any time.
