You usually have 2 years to make a CICA claim after a criminal injury - but some exceptions apply. We help people across the UK check if they’re still in time, even after delays. With over 3,000 five-star reviews, Winston Solicitors can guide you every step of the way.
- Check your CICA time limit – UK-wide
- Understand 2-year claim rules
- Get help with child abuse cases
- Claim after trauma or delays
- Use our free CICA calculator
- Speak to trusted CICA solicitors
When Should You Make a CICA Claim?
If you’ve been the victim of a violent crime, you normally have two years from the date of the incident to make a claim with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). That clock starts ticking from the moment the incident happened, not when the court hearing takes place.
Don’t wait for a criminal trial to finish; waiting could cost you your right to claim.
We’ve helped people across the UK who were unsure if they were still in time. Some had nearly missed the deadline, and others didn’t realise their time limit had already started.
“I thought I had to wait for the court case. Winston Solicitors helped me apply just in time and now I’ve been awarded £11,000.”
— Client from Manchester
What Is the 2-Year CICA Time Limit?
The standard rule is clear:
You must apply to the CICA within 2 years of the crime.
That means:
- If the incident happened on 1 July 2023, your deadline is 30th June 2025, not 1st July 2025
- Claims submitted on the exact 2-year anniversary are treated as late
- You’re expected to apply as soon as possible, not just before the deadline
“The CICA will look at the 2-year time limit as a guideline only; they will consider whether an application has been submitted as soon as reasonably practicable.
Therefore even where a person applies within 2 years of the incident, the CICA will still consider whether an application could have been made any sooner.
Our advice it always to submit your claim as soon as possible and we urge anyone who is considering making a claim, to not hold off”
— Stacey Flegg, Head of Criminal Injuries at Winston Solicitors.
Exceptions to the CICA Time Limit
The CICA does allow some exceptions - but only in limited cases. Here’s when you may still be able to claim, even after two years:
You were under 18 at the time
- If you were a child when the incident occurred and this was reported to the police after you turned 18; the two-year limit will apply from the date it was reported.
- But if you’re still under 18 now, you can apply straight away - you will need a legal guardian to act on your behalf.
You’ve only just reported the abuse
- This often applies in historic sexual abuse cases
- The time limit begins once the abuse is reported to the police - not when it happened
Example: If abuse happened in the 1970s but was only reported in 2024, the 2-year clock starts in 2024.
You had mental health issues
- If your mental health stopped you from claiming, the CICA may allow extra time
- You’ll need strong medical evidence, typically from a consultant psychiatrist or psychologist
- Counselling alone isn’t usually enough
In all cases, it is important to bear in mind that whilst the CICA consider 2 years to be the general limitation for applications; the scheme actually says that an application must be submitted as soon as reasonably practicable - therefore even where cases are submitted within 2 years of the incident, or the date of reporting; the CICA will still consider whether the claim could have been made any sooner.
How Long Does a CICA Claim Take?
Most CICA claims take 12-18 months to complete. The time varies depending on:
- How quickly the police provide their report
- Whether your injuries are still being treated
- Whether medical evidence is available
The sooner you apply, the sooner we can help you gather what you need.
Can I Claim for a Child or Someone Else?
Yes. If you're a parent, guardian or carer, you can make a claim on behalf of:
- A child under 18
- An adult who lacks mental capacity
Any compensation will normally go into a trust, and we can help you set that up too.
How to Check If You're Still in Time to Claim
You don’t need to guess - we’ve made it easy to find out.
How-To: Check Your Claim Deadline
- Use our free CICA time limit calculator
- Answer a few quick questions about the date of the incident
- See if you're still in time
- If yes: you can start your claim right away
- If no: we can advise if an exception applies
“I had no idea I could still claim. Winston Solicitors made the whole thing easy.”
— CICA client from Birmingham
Start Your CICA Claim Today
If you’re worried about the time limit, don’t delay. We’re here to help you understand your rights, protect your claim, and get the compensation you deserve.
We’ve helped thousands of people across the UK claim through the CICA — even when they thought it was too late.
Call us on 0113 320 5000 or start your claim online now – it only takes minutes
You usually have two years from the date of the incident to apply. The CICA count this as 1 year and 364 days. Applying on the exact 2-year mark may be rejected as being out of time.
In some cases, yes. If you were a child at the time, reported the incident late, or had serious mental health problems, the CICA may extend the deadline. It depends on your circumstances and supporting evidence.
Most claims take between 12 and 18 months. The timeline depends on the police report, medical evidence, and whether your injuries have stabilised.
No. You should not wait for a criminal trial to end. The CICA deadline runs from the incident date, not the court outcome.
Yes. You can claim on behalf of a child or an adult who lacks mental capacity. Winston Solicitors can guide you through the process and help set up a compensation trust if needed.
The CICA may accept a late claim if you can show your mental health made it impossible to apply earlier. You’ll need medical records from a psychiatrist or psychologist to support this.
You can use our CICA time limit calculator online or contact us directly. We’ll check your dates and tell you straight away if you can still claim.
