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CICA Christmas and New Year opening hours 2025-26

How to contact the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority during the festive period.

Using our contact form is often the best way to contact us. We’ll aim to reply to you within 10 working days.

If you need help applying for compensation, or have an urgent enquiry that is not a request for an update on your application, our helpline is open during the following hours:

Day Opening Times
Monday 22 December 8.30am to 3pm
Tuesday 23 December 8.30am to 3pm
Wednesday 24 December Closed
Thursday 25 December Closed
Friday 26 December Closed
Monday 29 December 8.30am to 3pm
Tuesday 30 December 8.30am to 3pm
Wednesday 31 December 8.30am to 12.30pm
Thursday 1 January Closed
Friday 2 January Closed

We will operate with reduced staff numbers through the festive period and this may affect our services.

From Monday 5 January the service will return to the following opening hours:

Day Opening Times
Monday 8.30am to 5pm
Tuesday 8.30am to 5pm
Wednesday 8.30am to 3pm
Thursday 8.30am to 5pm
Friday 8.30am to 5pm

Our online application service will still be available throughout this time.

How to contact CICA

• Telephone: 0300 003 3601
• From outside the UK: +44 20 3684 2517
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 0300 003 3601
Find out about call charges

Updates to this page

Published 19 December 2025