Will a Criminal Injuries Compensation award affect my benefits?

A Criminal Injuries Compensation Trust is a way of protecting your existing, or future, entitlement to Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) means tested benefits or Local Authority support if you receive a Criminal Injuries Compensation award. 

If you are in receipt of means tested benefits such as Universal Credit, Income Support, Council Tax and Housing Benefit and your Criminal Injuries Compensation award is paid directly to you, it could mean you exceed:

• £6,000 threshold which could put you at risk of having your benefits reduced; or
• £16,000 threshold in which case you are at risk of losing your benefits entirely.

By setting up a Criminal Injuries Compensation Trust and depositing your award into the amount will be disregarded in any DWP or Local Authority financial assessment preserving and protecting your entitlement to these benefits.

Please contact us for more information