If you've been injured in a violent crime and need to apply for or manage a claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), you'll access the service through an online portal. Since the platform was updated, applicants in England, Scotland, and Wales now use GOV.UK One Login to authenticate their account, while Northern Ireland operates a separate system requiring an nidirect account. This guide explains how to log in, what you'll need, and how the application process works across different UK jurisdictions.

What Is the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority?

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is an executive agency sponsored by the Ministry of Justice that pays compensation to people physically or mentally injured because of a violent crime in England, Scotland, or Wales, or in an act of terrorism abroad. The scheme operates under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act 1995 and its regulations.

CICA does not handle claims for Northern Ireland residents, who must apply through a separate but similar scheme administered via nidirect. Understanding which system applies to your claim is the first step before attempting to log in.

How CICA Differs From Personal Injury Claims

Unlike civil personal injury claims where you pursue compensation from the person or organisation responsible for your injury, CICA awards are made by the state when a violent crime has caused harm. The scheme does not require an offender to have been convicted, and all decisions are made on the balance of probabilities based on available evidence.

Compensation amounts are determined by a fixed tariff of injuries rather than individually assessed damages, so the login portal leads to a structured application form that assesses eligibility against set criteria.

Accessing the CICA Portal in England, Scotland, and Wales

GOV.UK One Login: The Gateway to Your Application

If you want to save your CICA application and return to it later, you need a GOV.UK One Login. This unified authentication system replaced earlier access methods and is now the standard way to interact with many government digital services.

You can create a GOV.UK One Login if you do not already have one. The process requires:

  • An email address
  • A mobile phone number for two-factor authentication
  • Identity verification steps, which may include uploading a photo of your identity document and a short video of your face

Once your GOV.UK One Login is set up, you use the same credentials to access your CICA application at any time.

Starting or Continuing a Claim

To begin a new application or return to one in progress, visit the GOV.UK claim compensation page and select the option to start or continue your claim. You'll be redirected to the CICA online service portal, where you'll sign in using your GOV.UK One Login details.

Session Time Limits

The online service times out if unused for 30 minutes or more. This is a security measure, but it means you should save your progress regularly and be prepared to log back in if you step away from your application.

What Happens After You Log In

Once authenticated, you'll see your application dashboard. Depending on whether you're starting a new claim or returning to an existing one, you can:

  • Complete the application form section by section
  • Upload supporting documents and evidence
  • Review information you've already entered
  • Track the status of a submitted claim

When making a claim to CICA, you must provide information about whether you have tried to get compensation or other money you are entitled to, so be ready to supply details of any other claims or sources of compensation related to the same incident.

Northern Ireland: A Separate System

nidirect Account Requirements

If your injury occurred in Northern Ireland, you will not use the CICA portal. Instead, you must set up an nidirect account with identity verification to access the Northern Ireland compensation scheme.

The nidirect login process is distinct from GOV.UK One Login and involves:

  • Registering on the nidirect website
  • Verifying your identity through a separate process
  • Using your nidirect credentials to access the Northern Ireland criminal injuries application service

The substantive rules are similar to those in the rest of the UK, but the administrative process and portal are managed independently.

Why the Systems Are Separate

Criminal injuries compensation in Northern Ireland falls under devolved justice powers and operates under different legislation, including the Criminal Injuries (Compensation) (Northern Ireland) Order 1988. The practical effect for claimants is that you must use the correct portal for your jurisdiction—attempting to log in to the CICA system for an injury in Northern Ireland will not work.

Eligibility and Application Time Limits

The Two-Year Rule

An applicant must apply as soon as it is reasonably practicable, and if an adult at the time of the incident, not later than two years after it occurred. This time limit applies across England, Wales, and Scotland and is strictly enforced.

The two-year time limit can be extended only where due to exceptional circumstances an application could not have been made earlier and the evidence provided means it can be determined without further extensive enquiries. Logging in to start an application just before the two-year deadline is therefore crucial if you have not yet submitted a claim.

Who Can Apply on Behalf of Someone Else

In some cases, proof of the right to apply for someone else is required. This includes:

  • Applicants under 18: proof of parental responsibility
  • Those unable to handle their own affairs: proof of legal authority such as power of attorney or a court order

If you are logging in to apply on behalf of another person, you will need to upload these documents through the portal after authentication.

Evidence and Information You'll Need

Documents to Prepare Before Logging In

Before you start your online application, gather:

  • Details of the crime, including the date, location, and circumstances
  • Police crime reference number
  • Medical records or reports documenting your injuries
  • Evidence of any other compensation you have sought or received
  • Contact details for witnesses, if applicable

Having this information ready will help you complete the application efficiently and reduce the risk of a session timeout forcing you to log back in repeatedly.

Tariff-Based Compensation

To qualify for an award, an injury must be described in the tariff of injuries at Annex E of the Scheme, and CICA must pay an award in line with these prescribed amounts based on the severity of injuries and impact on the applicant. The portal will guide you through questions that determine which tariff category applies to your case.

Compensation is not negotiated or tailored to individual circumstances in the way damages are in a civil claim, so understanding the tariff structure before you apply can help set realistic expectations.

Updating or Reviewing a Submitted Claim

Logging In After Submission

If you have already submitted your application, you can log back in using the same GOV.UK One Login credentials to:

  • Check the status of your claim
  • Respond to requests for further information from CICA
  • Upload additional evidence if asked

You can also update a claim you've submitted by following the link provided in correspondence from CICA or by logging in directly through the portal.

CICA Contact Details

If you have trouble logging in or accessing your application, CICA can be contacted at 10 Clyde Place, Buchanan Wharf, Glasgow G5 8AQ; phone 0300 003 3601 (inside UK) or +44 (0)203 684 2517 (outside UK); opening times Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 3pm.

Appeals and Reviews

If Your Claim Is Refused or Reduced

Each iteration of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme provides a right of appeal in respect of a "review decision" by CICA. If you disagree with the outcome of your claim, you can request a review and, if still dissatisfied, appeal to the First-tier Tribunal.

Under the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007, adjudicators appointed under section 5 of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act 1995 are judges of the First-tier Tribunal for appeals under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. You will receive instructions on how to lodge an appeal if your review request is unsuccessful.

Accessing Review and Appeal Correspondence

All correspondence about reviews and appeals is managed through your CICA account, so keeping your GOV.UK One Login details secure and up to date is essential throughout the life of your claim.

What This Means for You

Logging in to the CICA portal is straightforward once you have set up a GOV.UK One Login (or nidirect account if in Northern Ireland), but the system's 30-minute timeout and strict identity verification mean you should plan ahead. Gather your evidence, understand the two-year application deadline, and keep your login credentials secure. If you're applying on behalf of someone else, ensure you have proof of your authority before you start. The online portal is the only way to submit and manage most CICA applications, so familiarity with the login process is an essential first step in claiming compensation for a criminal injury.

Common Login Problems and Solutions

Forgotten Password or Email

If you forget your GOV.UK One Login password, use the "Forgot your password?" link on the sign-in page. You'll receive a reset link at the email address you registered. If you no longer have access to that email account, you may need to create a new GOV.UK One Login and contact CICA directly to link it to your existing application.

Identity Verification Issues

Some applicants encounter difficulties during the identity verification stage, particularly if their identity documents are not recognised by the automated system. In these cases, GOV.UK One Login may offer alternative verification routes, or you can contact CICA by phone to discuss manual verification options.

Browser and Device Compatibility

The CICA portal is designed to work with modern web browsers on desktop and mobile devices. If you experience technical problems logging in, try:

  • Clearing your browser cache and cookies
  • Using a different browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge)
  • Ensuring your browser is up to date
  • Disabling browser extensions that may interfere with the login process

The CICA accessibility statement provides further guidance on supported browsers and assistive technologies.

Security and Data Protection

Keeping Your Account Secure

Your CICA application contains sensitive personal and medical information. To protect your data:

  • Do not share your GOV.UK One Login password with anyone
  • Log out when you finish using the portal, especially on shared or public computers
  • Use a strong, unique password that you do not use for other online accounts
  • Enable two-factor authentication if prompted

CICA and GOV.UK are bound by data protection legislation, and your information will not be shared outside the purposes of administering your compensation claim unless required by law.

Reporting Suspicious Activity

If you believe your account has been compromised or you receive suspicious emails claiming to be from CICA, contact the authority directly using the phone numbers provided rather than replying to the email or clicking any links.

Legislative and Scheme Background

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Act 1995

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Act 1995 provides for the establishment of a scheme for compensation for criminal injuries. This Act remains the statutory foundation for the current compensation system.

There have been four iterations of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, in 1996, 2001, 2008, and 2012 (the last was amended in 2020), and all new applications are made under the amended 2012 Scheme. When you log in and apply, your claim is assessed under the 2012 Scheme as amended, regardless of when your injury occurred, provided it falls within the scheme's eligibility criteria.

Overseas Terrorism

The CICA portal also handles claims under the Victims of Overseas Terrorism Compensation Scheme (VOTCS). The tax treatment of awards under the Victims of Overseas Terrorism Compensation Scheme is in line with awards under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, and the same login and application process applies if you were injured in an act of terrorism abroad.

Practical Tips for Using the Portal

Save Your Progress Frequently

Because the portal times out after 30 minutes of inactivity, make a habit of clicking "Save and continue" at the end of each section. This ensures you do not lose work if you are interrupted or need to step away.

Print or Download Confirmation

After you submit your application, the portal will display a confirmation screen. Take a screenshot or print this page for your records. You should also receive a confirmation email at the address linked to your GOV.UK One Login.

Check Your Email Regularly

CICA will contact you by email if they need further information or if there is an update to your claim. Ensure the email address associated with your GOV.UK One Login is one you check regularly, and add CICA's email domain to your safe senders list to prevent messages from being marked as spam.

Allow Time for Assessment

CICA handles thousands of applications, and assessment times vary depending on the complexity of your case and the availability of evidence. Logging in regularly to check for updates is sensible, but be prepared for the process to take several months.

Last verified: 2026-06-25

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Disclaimer

This article provides general information about logging in to and using the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority online portal. It is not legal advice. Eligibility for compensation, application procedures, and appeal rights depend on the specific facts of your case and the jurisdiction in which your injury occurred. If you need advice about a criminal injuries claim, consider consulting a solicitor experienced in this area. Time limits apply to CICA applications, and missing the deadline may result in your claim being refused. Always check the latest guidance on GOV.UK or contact CICA directly if you are unsure about any aspect of the process.