United Kingdom

The United Kingdom (which includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) has a crime victim compensation program to provide financial compensation to victims of violent or personal crime.

Eligibility Requirements
Report to Police: As soon as possible; exceptions are made.
Filing Period: Within 2 years; exceptions are made.

Claimants

• Victims of crime
• Dependents of homicide victims
• Foreign citizens

Procedures

A claimant can obtain an application from police stations, hospitals, CICA, local Victim Support Schemes, Crown Court Witness Service, or local Citizens Advice Bureaus.

The completed application should be sent to the CICA. The program's initial decision should be made within 12 months, while reviews and hearings take several months longer. Compensation will be paid as soon as CICA receives notification that the claimant accepts the decision.

Benefits & Award Limits

The maximum award in Pounds is 500,000.

Compensable Costs

• Medical expenses
• Mental health expenses
• Lost wages for disabled victims
• Lost support for dependents of homicide victims
• Funerals
• Travel

• Rehabilitation for disabled victims
• Pain and suffering
• Bereavement
• Loss of parental services

Emergency Awards

Interim payments may be made where a final decision as to the appropriate award is uncertain, for example, when the victim's medical prognosis is unclear.

Funding Sources

The program is funded by the Government/Taxpayers' revenue.

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