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The Northern Ireland criminal injuries Compensation Scheme is designed to compensate blameless victims of violent crime in Northern Ireland. The Criminal Damage Scheme is designed to compensate damage to property.
We can make an award for a mental or physical injury following a crime of violence and for sexual or physical assault.
Yes, we can compensate a relative or dependant of a victim who has died as a result of a crime of violence.
A qualifying relative is a spouse or civil partner of the deceased, a parent of the deceased and a child of the deceased.
Yes, a relative of a crime victim can receive an award for mental injury if the victim has survived a crime of violence.
Yes, compensation is open to all nationalities.
We can only consider compensation claims that occur in Northern Ireland.
The Scheme requires all applicants to report the crime to police without delay as soon as reasonably practicable.
No, but an application should be made within 2 years of the date of the incident.
No.
Yes, you can still qualify for compensation if the offender has not been identified or convicted. However, the applicant must report all the relevant circumstances of the crime to police and co-operate with the enquiries.
An application should be made within 2 years of the date of the incident.
(a) For the victim of the offence:
- Material (non-psychological) damage:
Compensation Services will consider awarding for loss of, or damage to, property or equipment costs associated with treatment for the injury, care costs, special equipment, adaptations to the applicant's accommodation, fees associated with the Court of Protection, costs associated with the administration of the applicant's affairs due to lack of mental capacity. Loss of earnings or earning capacity.
- Psychological (moral) damage:
Mental injury.
- Material (non-psychological) damage:
Compensation Services will pay reasonable funeral expenses. A qualifying relative may be eligible for a bereavement award.
- Psychological damage:
A qualifying relative may be eligible for a mental illness award.
Compensation is normally paid as a single payment.
A claim may be reduced or no award made if the applicant's conduct contributed towards the incident, they have a criminal record with unspent criminal convictions and they fail to co-operate with the police or Compensation Services.
This will have no effect.
Compensation could be affected if the assailant could benefit from an award.
Compensation is calculated as per the tariff of injuries which is part of the Scheme.
The minimum injury award is £1,000 and the maximum injury award is £250,000. There is no cap on the total amount of compensation that can be awarded.
No, the applicant is not expected to quote the amount, they are expected to tell us their injuries.
Private insurance does not affect the amount of compensation paid. However, court compensation and civil compensation will be deducted from any award.
An interim award can be paid as long as there are no liability issues.
Yes, a case can be reopened where there has been such a material change in the victim's medical condition that an injustice would occur if the original assessment were allowed to stand.
A completed application form. Compensation Services will ask the applicant if any further information is required for example employment and income details.
There are no charges or fees.
The Northern Ireland Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
Compensation Services, 6th Floor, Millennium House, 25 Great Victoria Street, Belfast, BT2 7AQ.
No.
The average time taken for a first decision is 11 months and a review decision is 6 months.
An applicant has the right of review and Appeal.
From our website http://www.compensationni.gov.uk
Our website address is http://www.compensationni.gov.uk
Legal aid is not available under the Criminal Injuries Scheme. You can appoint a solicitor to assist with a Criminal Damage claim.
Victim Support NI can assist an applicant with the compensation process.
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