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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
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
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 Languages used— Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), Morley House, 26-30 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2JQ Languages used— Northern Ireland The Compensation Agency, Royston House, 34 Upper Queen Street, Belfast, BT1 6FD Languages used— 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 Languages used— Scotland Victim Support Scotland, 15/23 Hardwell Close, Edinburgh-EH8 9RX, Scotland Languages used— Northern Ireland Victim Support Northern Ireland, Annsgate House, 70-74 Ann Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT1 4EH Languages used— |
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