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Directory of International Crime Victim Compensation Programs 2004 - 2005
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Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Great Britain (including England, Scotland, and Wales) has a crime victim compensation program to provide financial compensation for victims of violent crime. Northern Ireland has a separate compensation program. The programs are similar, but some differences are noted below. The victim's injury can be physical, including fatal injuries, or mental. Indeed, the victim's injury may be a medically recognized psychiatric or psychological illness, or it may be a disease that is a medically recognized illness or condition.

Eligibility Requirements

Report to police. As soon as possible; exceptions may be made.

Filing period. Within 2 years; exceptions may be made.

Foreign citizen eligibility. Foreign nationals who are victims of a personal injury while in Great Britain are eligible to apply in Great Britain. Foreign nationals who are victims of a personal injury while in Northern Ireland are eligible to apply in Northern Ireland.

Claimants

Victims of violent crime in Great Britain
   
Close relatives and dependents of homicide victims in Great Britain
   
Victims of violent crime in Northern Ireland

Procedures

In Great Britain, a claimant can obtain an application from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), police stations, local victim support programs, or local citizens' advice bureaus. Comprehensive information about compensation is available on the CICA Web site (www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/compensation-schemes/cica/index.htm). In Northern Ireland, a claimant can obtain an application from the Compensation Agency, police stations, local victim support programs, or local citizens' advice bureaus. Comprehensive information about compensation is available on the Compensation Agency's Web site. A user-friendly guide, application forms, and program guidance can be downloaded and printed from both Web sites. The completed application should be sent to CICA or the Compensation Agency. The program's initial decision should normally be made within 12 months, although reviews and hearings may take several months longer. Compensation will be paid within 28 days of the compensation program receiving notification that the claimant accepts the decision. Both compensation programs are a payer of last resort.

Benefits and Award Limits

The maximum award in Great Britain is £500,000. The minimum award is £1,000. There is no maximum award in Northern Ireland. If a death results from a crime, compensation for the bereavement of a close relative may be paid. In Great Britain, qualifying claimants are eligible for a payment of £11,000 if there is one claimant, and £5,500 each if there is more than one claimant. In Northern Ireland, each qualifying claimant is eligible for a bereavement support payment of £12,000.

Compensable costs

Pain and suffering
   
Lost wages for disabled victims
   
Medical expenses (if unavailable via National Health Service or other sources)
   
Mental health expenses (if unavailable via National Health Service or other sources)
   
Reasonable funeral expenses
   
Damage to property or equipment relied upon as a physical aid
   
Provision of special equipment to aid mobility
   
Adaptations to accommodation
   
Travel expenses
   
Rehabilitation for disabled victims (if unavailable via National Health Service or other sources)
   
Bereavement
   
Lost financial support for dependents of homicide victims
   
Loss of parental services for qualifying claimants under 18 years of age

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

Funding sources. The program is funded by the government from taxpayers' revenue.

Contact Information

Great Britain

Great Britain Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), Tay House, 300 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 4LN
Telephone: 44-141-331-2726
Fax: 44-141-331-2287
E-mail: enquiries.cica@gsi.gov.uk
Internet: www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/compensation-schemes/cica/index.htm

Languages used—
• On application forms: English
• In correspondence: English
• By telephone: English

Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), Morley House, 26-30 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2JQ
Telephone: 44-20-7842-6800
Fax: 44-20-7436-0804
E-mail and Internet: Same as above

Languages used—
• On application forms: English
• In correspondence: English
• By telephone: English

Northern Ireland

The Compensation Agency, Royston House, 34 Upper Queen Street, Belfast, BT1 6FD
Telephone: 44-28-9024-9944
Fax: 44-28-9024-6956
E-mail: comp-agency@nics.gov.uk

Languages used—
• On application forms: English
• In correspondence: English
• By telephone: English

Victim Support

Victim Support is a national charity that provides assistance and support for victims of crime. There are separate organizations for England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

England and Wales

England and Wales Victim Support National Office, Cranmer House, 39 Brixton Road, London SW9 6DZ
Telephone: 44-20-7735-9166
Fax: 44-20-7582-5712
E-mail: contact@victimsupport.org.uk
Internet: www.victimsupport.org.uk

Languages used—
• On application forms: English
• In correspondence: English
• By telephone: English

Scotland

Victim Support Scotland, 15/23 Hardwell Close, Edinburgh-EH8 9RX, Scotland
Telephone: 44-131-668-4486
Fax: 44-131-662-5400
E-mail: info@victimsupportsco.demon.co.uk
Internet: http://www.victimsupport.org.uk/

Languages used—
• On application forms: English
• In correspondence: English
• By telephone: English

Northern Ireland

Victim Support Northern Ireland, Annsgate House, 70-74 Ann Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT1 4EH
Telephone: 028 9024 4039
Fax: 028 9031 3838
E-mail: info@victimsupportni.org.uk

Languages used—
• On application forms: English
• In correspondence: English
• By telephone: English

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