Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Contact Number & How to Apply

If you have been physically or mentally injured because of a violent crime, you may be entitled to compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. Whether you need to lodge a new claim, check the progress of an existing application, or ask questions about eligibility, knowing how to contact CICA quickly and efficiently is essential. This guide sets out the current contact details for England, Scotland and Wales, explains alternative routes for those with accessibility needs, and clarifies what information you should prepare before you call or write.

Who the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority Is

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is a government body that pays compensation to people who have been physically or mentally injured because of a violent crime in England, Scotland or Wales. CICA also administers the Victims of Overseas Terrorism Compensation Scheme (VOTCS) for UK nationals and residents injured in acts of terrorism abroad.

The Authority operates under the statutory framework established by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act 1995, which remains in force as at 19 August 2026. Northern Ireland has a separate compensation scheme administered by the Department of Justice.

What CICA Does

CICA assesses applications against the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, a tariff-based system that sets fixed awards for specific injuries. The scheme covers:

  • Physical injuries resulting from violent crime, including assault and domestic abuse
  • Mental injuries such as post-traumatic stress disorder caused by witnessing or being subjected to violence
  • Sexual and physical abuse
  • Fatal injuries, with payments available to bereaved relatives

Claims must usually be made within two years of the incident, though exceptions exist for childhood abuse and cases where the victim's mental capacity was affected.

CICA Contact Number and Opening Hours

Phone Contact

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority contact number is 0300 003 3601. Lines are open 8.30 am to 3 pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.

If you are calling from outside the UK, dial +44 (0)203 684 2517.

For claimants who are unable to hear or speak on the phone, Relay UK is available on 18001 0300 003 3601.

Email and Post

You can email CICA at info@cica.gov.uk. The Authority aims to respond to email enquiries within 10 working days, though response times may be longer during busy periods.

The postal address, updated in April 2024, is:

Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority
10 Clyde Place
Buchanan Wharf
Glasgow G5 8AQ
United Kingdom

What This Means for You

You do not need a solicitor to contact CICA or to submit a claim, though many claimants choose to instruct a personal injury solicitor to help gather medical evidence, complete the application form and negotiate with the Authority. If you call CICA directly, have your claim reference number to hand if you have already applied, and be prepared to answer questions about the crime, any police report reference, and your injuries.

Northern Ireland Contact Details

If you were injured in Northern Ireland, you must apply to Compensation Services, not CICA. The contact details are:

Compensation Services
5th Floor, Queen's Court
56-66 Upper Queen Street
Belfast BT1 6FD

Telephone: 0300 200 7887

Northern Ireland operates under the Criminal Injuries Compensation (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 and uses a separate tariff and application process.

Victims of Overseas Terrorism Compensation Scheme (VOTCS)

If you or a close relative were injured or killed in a terrorist attack outside the UK, you may be eligible for compensation under the Victims of Overseas Terrorism Compensation Scheme.

VOTCS claims are handled by a dedicated team within CICA. You should send completed application forms to:

CICA VOTCS Team
PO Box 26996
Glasgow G2 9ER

You can also call the general CICA helpline on 0300 003 3601 and ask to be transferred to the VOTCS team.

Eligibility for VOTCS

The scheme is open to British citizens, UK residents, and certain EU nationals who were directly injured or who lost a close family member in an overseas terrorist attack. You must usually apply within two years of the incident, though late applications may be accepted if there are exceptional reasons for the delay.

What to Prepare Before Contacting CICA

Information You Will Need

When you contact CICA, whether by phone, email or post, you will be asked for:

  • Your full name, date of birth and contact details
  • Details of the crime, including the date and location
  • The police force that dealt with the incident and any crime reference number
  • A description of your injuries and how they have affected you
  • Details of any medical treatment you have received
  • Information about any previous claims or criminal convictions

If you are calling about an existing claim, have your CICA reference number ready. This 11-character code (beginning with the year) appears on all letters sent by the Authority.

Medical Evidence and Reports

CICA will not usually make a decision on your claim without medical evidence. This may include:

  • GP records and hospital notes
  • Consultant reports and discharge summaries
  • Psychiatric or psychological assessments
  • Dental or ophthalmology records if relevant

You do not need to send this evidence when you first contact CICA, but you should start gathering it as soon as possible. Your GP may charge a fee for providing copies of your records.

Police Reports

CICA requires evidence that you reported the crime to the police without unreasonable delay. The Authority will usually contact the police directly to obtain a copy of the crime report, but you should note the crime reference number and the name of the investigating officer when you first call or write.

If you did not report the crime immediately—for example, because you were a child at the time or were threatened by your attacker—you should explain this when you contact CICA. The Authority has discretion to accept late claims in certain circumstances.

How to Make a Claim

Online Application

The fastest way to apply is through the online claims service. The digital form guides you through each section and allows you to save your progress and return later.

Paper Application

If you cannot use the online service, you can request a paper application form by calling 0300 003 3601 or emailing info@cica.gov.uk. Completed forms should be posted to the Glasgow address listed above.

Time Limits

You must usually apply within two years of the date of the crime. If you were under 18 when the crime took place, the two-year period does not begin until your 18th birthday, giving victims of childhood abuse until their 20th birthday to claim.

CICA may accept late applications if:

  • You were a child when the injury occurred and it was not reasonable to expect an adult to apply on your behalf
  • Your mental capacity was affected by the injury
  • The police could not bring a prosecution within the two-year period because new evidence only recently came to light
  • There are other exceptional circumstances

Late applications are decided on a case-by-case basis. You should provide a full explanation and any supporting evidence when you contact CICA.

What Happens After You Apply

Acknowledgment and Initial Review

CICA aims to acknowledge your application within five working days. The Authority will then begin an initial review to check that your claim falls within the scheme. This involves:

  • Confirming that the incident was reported to the police
  • Checking that you applied within the time limit or have good reasons for a late claim
  • Verifying that the crime happened in England, Scotland or Wales (or overseas in the case of VOTCS)
  • Ensuring that you have not been convicted of certain criminal offences that would bar you from compensation

Investigation and Medical Assessment

If your claim passes the initial checks, CICA will write to the police for a copy of the crime report and contact your medical practitioners for records. In some cases, the Authority will arrange an independent medical examination to assess the severity of your injuries.

You will usually be given at least 14 days' notice of any medical appointment. If you cannot attend, contact CICA as soon as possible to rearrange. Failure to attend without good reason may result in your claim being rejected.

Decision and Payment

Once CICA has all the evidence it needs, a claims officer will decide whether you are eligible for compensation and, if so, how much you will receive. The tariff is set out in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme and groups injuries into 25 bands, with awards ranging from £1,000 to £500,000 for the most serious cases.

If you accept the award, payment is usually made within four to six weeks. If you disagree with the decision, you have 90 days to ask CICA to review it.

Appeals and Reviews

Requesting a Review

If you are dissatisfied with CICA's decision—whether on eligibility, the amount of compensation, or the level of any reduction applied because of your own conduct—you can request a review by a senior claims officer. You must do this in writing within 90 days of the decision letter.

The review officer will look at all the evidence again and may ask for further information or arrange another medical examination. The review decision is usually issued within 40 working days, though complex cases may take longer.

Appeal to the First-Tier Tribunal

If you remain dissatisfied after the review, you can appeal to the First-Tier Tribunal (Criminal Injuries Compensation). You must lodge your appeal within 90 days of the review decision. The tribunal is independent of CICA and will hold a hearing at which you can give evidence and call witnesses.

You do not need a solicitor to represent you at tribunal, though many claimants find legal representation helpful, particularly in higher-value or complex cases.

Complaints About CICA

If you are unhappy with the service you have received—for example, unexplained delays, lost documents or rude behaviour by staff—you can make a complaint using CICA's complaints procedure.

Complaints should be sent to:

Complaints Team
Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority
10 Clyde Place
Buchanan Wharf
Glasgow G5 8AQ

Or by email to info@cica.gov.uk with "Complaint" in the subject line.

If CICA does not resolve your complaint to your satisfaction, you can escalate it to the Independent Case Examiner or, as a final step, to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.

Other Support for Victims of Crime

Victim Support Services

CICA compensation is not a replacement for other forms of support. Local victim services can provide:

  • Emotional support and counselling
  • Help reporting the crime to the police
  • Assistance attending court
  • Practical advice on home security and personal safety

These services are free and confidential, and you do not need to have reported the crime to the police to access them.

Civil Claims

In some cases, you may be able to bring a civil claim for damages against the person who injured you, in addition to applying to CICA. A personal injury solicitor can advise whether this is appropriate in your case and how the two processes interact. Any compensation you receive from a civil claim may be deducted from your CICA award to prevent double recovery.

Key Points to Remember

  • The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority contact number is 0300 003 3601, available 8.30 am to 3 pm Monday to Friday
  • You can also email info@cica.gov.uk or write to the Glasgow address
  • Northern Ireland residents must contact Compensation Services in Belfast, not CICA
  • You must usually apply within two years of the crime, though late applications may be accepted in exceptional circumstances
  • CICA requires evidence that you reported the crime to the police and cooperated with the investigation
  • You do not need a solicitor to contact CICA or to make a claim, but many claimants find legal advice helpful
  • If you disagree with CICA's decision, you can request a review and, if necessary, appeal to the independent tribunal

Last reviewed: 2026-09-25

Sources

Disclaimer

This article provides general information about contacting the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority and the claims process in England, Scotland and Wales. It is not legal advice. The CICA scheme has detailed eligibility rules, and each claim is assessed on its own facts. If you are considering applying for criminal injuries compensation, you may wish to seek independent legal advice from a solicitor who specialises in personal injury or criminal injuries claims. Time limits apply, and late applications may be refused. Always check the latest guidance on GOV.UK or contact CICA directly if you are unsure about any aspect of your claim.