CICA scheme guidance
Guidance for claims officers of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) on how to apply the rules of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012.
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 (the Scheme) is government-funded and designed to compensate victims of violent crime in Great Britain.
The rules of the Scheme and the value of the payments awarded are set by the Secretary of State and approved by Parliament.
Every decision is taken by a claims officer after carefully considering all the available information. It is a claims officer’s role to determine claims using the rules set down in the statutory Scheme we operate. This guidance is for them to use when considering compensation claimsclaims.
We recognise that no amount of compensation can ever make up for the harm and suffering caused to victims by violent crime. Injury awards are intended to be an acknowledgement of harm and an important gesture of public sympathy.
You may also find our guide to the Scheme and step-by-step guide to the application process helpful.
You can apply online.
Scheme guidance
Scheme guidance notes
Updates to this page
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Adding 9 supplementary scheme guidance notes for the terms "immediate", "substantial recovery", "Medically Recognised Illness", and for scarring, burns, multiple fractures to the face, physical abuse of children, female genital mutilation and breast ironing, and assessing care needs and costs,
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Updated to include latest version of scheme policy guidance.
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Update to Scheme guidance for paragraph 85 to reflect changes to the rules around Non-Disclosure Agreements. Updates to Scheme guidance for paragraphs 4, 18A, 27, 39, 87, 97 and 110 to highlight when claims officers should seek advice from Decision Support.
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Paragraph 5 guidance updated to include reference to emergency workers.
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First published.
Update history
2026-03-02 12:43
Adding 9 supplementary scheme guidance notes for the terms “immediate”, “substantial recovery”, “Medically Recognised Illness”, and for scarring, burns, multiple fractures to the face, physical abuse of children, female genital mutilation and breast ironing, and assessing care needs and costs,
2026-01-14 14:38
Updated to include latest version of scheme policy guidance.
2026-01-13 15:48
Update to Scheme guidance for paragraph 85 to reflect changes to the rules around Non-Disclosure Agreements.Updates to Scheme guidance for paragraphs 4, 18A, 27, 39, 87, 97 and 110 to highlight when claims officers should seek advice from Decision Support.
2025-10-03 11:30
Paragraph 5 guidance updated to include reference to emergency workers.
2025-09-05 16:15
First published.