Missed your CICA deadline? Here’s what most people don’t know

Last Updated: 15 September 2026 I Reading Time: 6 minutes

Summary

Most guidance on Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) claims focuses on one thing: you have two years to apply. What gets far less attention is that CICA has the discretion to accept claims made outside that window, and does so regularly, where there’s a genuine reason for the delay.

If you’ve been putting off a claim because you assume it’s “too late,” or you were told there’s no point applying, this article explains the exceptions CICA will actually consider, and why so many people end up outside the standard time limit through no fault of their own.

Quick answer

Yes, you may still be able to claim CICA compensation after the 2-year deadline has passed. CICA can extend the time limit where there are exceptional circumstances that explain the delay, such as trauma, a delayed disclosure, or not being aware the scheme existed. Separate rules also apply to child abuse cases and claims that need to be medically reopened. There’s no guarantee of success, but a late application isn’t automatically refused.

Key takeaways

The standard CICA time limit is two years from the date of the crime.
If you were under 18 when the crime happened and it was reported to the police before you turned 18, you have until your 20th birthday to apply.
For historical abuse reported as an adult, the two years runs from the date you reported it to the police, not from the date it happened.
CICA can extend the deadline where there are exceptional circumstances, such as trauma, mental incapacity, or a genuinely delayed disclosure.
A missed deadline is usually about fear, not knowing the scheme existed, or being told “there’s no point,” not about not caring.
Claims can also be medically reopened within two years of the original decision if your injury has significantly worsened.
Applying late still requires strong supporting evidence, so it’s worth getting advice before you submit.

The CICA two-year time limit, explained

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme sets a standard time limit of two years from the date the crime happened. This applies whether or not anyone was ever charged or convicted, CICA only needs to be satisfied that a crime of violence took place and that you were injured, physically or psychologically, as a result.

For most adults reporting a recent incident, this is straightforward. But the rule works differently for children, and for anyone who wasn’t in a position to come forward straight away.

What if I was under 18 at the time?

If the crime happened while you were a child and it was reported to the police before your 18th birthday, you (or a parent or guardian) have until your 20th birthday to submit a claim.

What if the abuse was reported later, as an adult?

If you were abused as a child but didn’t report it to the police until you were an adult, the two-year clock starts from the date you reported it, not the date the abuse happened. This reflects how common it is for survivors to take years, sometimes decades, to come forward.

Exception CICA will consider

Beyond the child abuse provisions above, CICA has discretion to accept a late claim in a small number of situations:

Exceptional circumstances – CICA can extend the two-year limit where there’s a good reason you couldn’t apply earlier, for example a disabling mental illness, or trauma that genuinely prevented you from engaging with the process.
Medically reopened claims – if your injury has significantly worsened since CICA’s original decision, you can ask for the claim to be reopened within two years of that decision, not the original incident.
Sufficient evidence – even where exceptional circumstances are accepted, CICA will usually also need to be satisfied that your claim can be assessed without extensive further enquiries. Medical records, police reports and other supporting evidence matter here.

None of this is automatic. CICA weighs each late application on its own facts, but a missed deadline is a starting point for a conversation, not necessarily the end of one.

What counts as “Exceptional Circumstances”?

There’s no fixed checklist. In practice, CICA (and the First-tier Tribunal, where a case is appealed) will look at things like:

Whether you were realistically able to apply sooner.
The reasons for the delay, and whether they hold up against the evidence.
How long it took you to come to terms with what happened, and when you first disclosed it to family, a doctor, or the police.
Whether ongoing psychiatric or psychological injury effectively prevented you from acting sooner.

Tribunals have accepted a combination of factors as exceptional, including delays caused by a criminal trial running its course, the emotional impact of a trial outcome, and the gradual, non-linear way many people disclose abuse. In other words, CICA and tribunals do recognise that trauma doesn’t run on a two-year clock, even if the scheme’s default rule does.

Real reasons why people miss the deadline

It’s worth saying plainly: people don’t usually miss the CICA deadline because they didn’t care enough to claim. The more common reasons include:

Fear of reliving what happened by putting it in writing or discussing it with strangers.
Simply not knowing the scheme existed, or assuming it only applied to certain types of crime.
Being told “there’s no point” by police, a support worker, or even well-meaning friends and family.
Prioritising the criminal case, and only thinking about compensation once that process ended.
Ongoing trauma or mental health difficulties that made the practical steps of a claim feel impossible at the time.

If any of that sounds familiar, it’s a genuinely common experience, and it’s exactly the kind of context CICA is asked to consider.

What to do if you think you’ve missed the deadline

Don’t assume it’s too late. Check the specific dates that apply to your situation, especially if you were a child at the time or reported later in life.
Start gathering evidence of why you weren’t able to apply sooner, medical records, therapy notes, or a timeline of when you disclosed what happened.
Get advice before you submit. A late application needs to explain the delay clearly and provide enough evidence for CICA to assess the claim without lengthy further enquiries.
Apply as soon as you’re able, even if you’re unsure whether your reasons will be accepted. CICA can only consider an application that’s actually been made.

How GLP Solicitors can help

Our criminal injury compensation team regularly advises people who assumed they’d missed their chance to claim. We help gather the right evidence to support an application made outside the standard time limit, explain clearly where you stand, and manage the process with CICA on your behalf, including reviews and appeals if your claim is initially refused. Our team has long-standing experience of CICA cases and has been directly involved in campaigning for reform of the scheme, so we understand both how it works in practice and where it regularly falls short for genuine claimants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still claim CICA compensation after 2 years?

Yes, in some circumstances. CICA has discretion to accept a late claim where there are exceptional reasons for the delay, such as trauma or a delayed disclosure. There’s no guarantee your claim will be accepted, but a late application isn’t refused automatically.

What counts as exceptional circumstances for a late CICA claim?

There’s no exhaustive list, but CICA and tribunals typically consider things like disabling mental illness, the ongoing psychological effects of the crime, and the gradual way many survivors disclose what happened. Each case is assessed on its own facts.

How long do I have to claim CICA if I was abused as a child?

If the abuse was reported to the police before you turned 18, you have until your 20th birthday to apply. If you didn’t report it until you were an adult, you have two years from the date you reported it.

What if I reported the crime years after it happened?

The two-year time limit usually runs from the date you reported the crime to the police, not the date it happened, particularly in historical abuse cases.

Can CICA claims be reopened later?

Yes. If your injury significantly worsens after CICA’s original decision, you can apply to have the claim medically reopened within two years of that decision.

Do I need a solicitor to argue exceptional circumstances?

It’s not a legal requirement, but late applications need to be well-evidenced and clearly explained. A solicitor experienced in CICA claims can help you present your reasons for the delay in a way CICA is more likely to accept.

What evidence do I need to explain a late CICA claim?

This varies by case, but commonly includes medical or therapy records, a clear timeline of when you disclosed what happened and to whom, and any evidence of ongoing psychological or psychiatric injury linked to the delay.

Will a late claim automatically be refused?

No. CICA assesses late applications individually. A missed deadline means you’ll need to explain the delay and provide supporting evidence, but it doesn’t mean the claim can’t succeed.

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