CICA

[Faith3101]

Hello, I’m just wondering if anybody here has applied to the CICA? My claim is for historical abuse.
I applied in August 2024 and still haven’t heard anything 7 months later with no update. I am using a solicitor and I’m feeling they should of given me some sort of update in that time?
thinking of scrapping the solicitor and doing it myself due to lack of communication….xxx

What did your solicitor say when you asked them for an update?

I haven’t asked my solicitor for an update yet, I just assumed in the last 7 months he’d of mentioned something but I’ve not heard from him beyond giving him my new address a few days ago, he didn’t mention anything then 🫤 xxx

He also said in August, don’t expect to hear from me for several months 🤷🏻‍♀️ but in a few days it will be 8 months since the claim was first made. Surely in 8 months CICA would at least of got past the first stage? 🫤 xxx

Hi, I applied around the same time for historical abuse and have had 2 lots of letters asking for more details, I am doing the claim myself and I did take them about 4 months till first contact from them.

Thank you! I’ve heard nothing from my solicitor in 8 months, if it’s around the same time I’m thinking it would be a similar timeframe to your own? Rather than being a huge backlog where it would take a lot longer than usual.
I’m not sure how to go about cancelling my solicitor and if it means starting from scratch 🤨 xxx

Honestly it was so simple to fill out the forms myself on gov.uk. They then ask you for more information by letter.

How did you get a psychology assessment, or was this also something you did yourself? Or the CICA arranged?

(I’m so sorry for the 101 questions, and really, really appreciative of your replies)xxx

It's ok, no physiology assessment but loads of info of past help from various agencies and a form they sent filled in by gp

I’m a bit worried about any evidence they read, there are some not very nice medical history notes from the saddest times of my life. I have a diagnosis of depression and anxiety from over the last 2 decades, suicide attempts and eating disorders, but not a psychologists diagnosis.
It wasn’t so much what they did to me in the end, it was what I did to myself as a result.xxx

I'm sorry for your saddest times mine sound similar, BUT you wouldn't have done this too yourself without them having done to you what they did, it's not your fault and no one is going to judge you for it. Just send all info you think relevant to cica.

Hi, I also applied for historical abuse in 2021, if it's pretty straightforward it shouldn't take long, It can be a very lengthy process. It took CICA nearly a year to ask for my medical records. Mine has been complex due to needing a psychologist report done, which diagnosed me with Complex PTSD. CICA also sent me a form for HMRC for loss of earnings (I wasn't aware I could claim) I am literally waiting for them to make a decision, I haven't used a solicitor as they can't make the process go any faster. I also feel it's a lot of money to hand over for something you can do yourself. I hope this helps 🙂

Thank you so so much. I’m going to call them today to check on the process of the claim, I asked the solicitor if they’d had an update in the 8 months since applying and they said why not give them a call and see if I can get an update. Pretty pointless me having a solicitor if I’m phoning them myself. Just unsure how to cancel it through the solicitors and do it myself, if I’m able to do that now I’ve already applied 🫤

I know I will be diagnosed with CPTSD also. Is this something the CICA set up for you, to see a psychologist for an assessment?

solicitor was awful, I remember him saying “oh wow, you’ve been on life support, that’s good!” 🤦🏻‍♀️ I guess he meant good for him, ££££. From that point I knew I should either change solicitor or do it myself.

Thank you so much!!! I wouldn’t have made this decision without you so thank you!!!!xxx

Hi Faith, yes CICA will sort out the psychology assessment for you, I had my assessment over WhatsApp, it takes just over an hour for the assessment.The woman I had was lovely, she made me feel as comfortable as I could be. Definitely let your solicitor know that you no longer need their services, send them an email thanking them for their assistance, but you've now decided to go in a different direction 😊 I wasn't prepared to give a solicitor 25% plus vat which would then go to 40%!! let me know how you get on 🤗xx

My daughter applied a little over a year ago and it’s still not been concluded. I spoke to them a while ago and they have a backlog so claims are taking approximately 18 months at the moment