Register and manage claims with the Compensation Recovery Unit
The Compensation Recovery Unit (CRU) works with insurance companies and solicitors to recover benefits and NHS costs in compensation and injury cases.
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
Register a claim
Compensators who receive a claim for compensation must register it with us within 14 days.
Register a claim online if:
- it is for motor or public liability
- the injured person is represented and can provide an email address for their representative
- the injured person did not receive hospital treatment as a result of the incident
If the claim does not meet all of the above criteria, you will need to register it by post using a CRU1 form.
If you currently register claims through third party software
If your organisation manages compensation claims using software from CRIF, Direct Line Group or Experian, you should continue to register and manage claims through those.
What happens after you register a claim
If you have registered your claim online, we will send you an email acknowledgement.
If you register a claim by post, we will send you an acknowledgement form.
The acknowledgement we send will contain the CRU reference (3 letters followed by 3 numbers), which you will need when you contact us about the claim.
Request a certificate
For claims registered online, you can request a certificate using the online service.
If you use a third party software only to register claims, you can use the CRU e-service to request a certificate.
For claims registered by post, email us at cru.highvolumeareacertificates@dwp.gov.uk to request a certificate. You must include the CRU reference (3 letters followed by 3 numbers) in your email.
Notify CRU of claim settlement
For claims registered online, you can notify us of settlement using the online service.
If you use a third party software (CRIF, Direct Line Group or Experian) only to register claims, you can use the CRU e-service to notify us of settlement.
For claims registered by post, email us at cru.highvolumeareasettlements@dwp.gov.uk to notify us of claim settlement. You must include the CRU reference (3 letters followed by 3 numbers) in your email.
Make a payment
You’ll need to make payments to the Compensation Recovery Unit once the claim is settled.
The amount you need to pay is on the certificate.
Do not send us payment until you have notified us that the claim is settled.
DWP CRU bank account to be used for payments
Transfer payments to:
- bank - National Westminster Bank PLC
- account name - DWP CRU
- sort code - 60 70 80
- account number - 10027432
- IBAN - GB81NWBK60708010027432
- swift code - NWBKGB2L
After you make a payment
Email us at CRU.Banking@dwp.gov.uk to let us know that a payment has been made. You will need to include the CRU reference (3 letters followed by 3 numbers).
If you send payment for more than one claim at a time, you must let us know all the CRU references for those claims.
Transfer responsibility for a claim
Claims registered online
For claims registered online, you can transfer responsibility using the online service.
Claims registered by post, email or through third party software
If you have taken over responsibility for a claim that has already been registered, send us the CRU1(Sol) form to transfer responsibility.
If you need to return responsibility to the insurer, send us the CRU1(Rep) form to transfer responsibility.
Contact the Compensation Recovery Unit
If you wish to contact us, use the phone number shown on the letter you have received from us. Alternatively you can email or write to us.
If you have a speech or hearing impairment our office has the Text Relay facility. The Text Relay number will be at the top of any letter we send you. The Text Relay number will be 18001 followed by the phone number.
Find out how to use the British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer.
Find out how to use the BSL video relay service on mobile or tablet.
| Subject | |
|---|---|
| Request certificate | cru.highvolumeareacertificates@dwp.gov.uk |
| Notify settlement | cru.highvolumeareasettlements@dwp.gov.uk |
| Personal injury claims | cru.assessmentsA-Z@dwp.gov.uk |
| Disease claims | cru.specialistoperations@dwp.gov.uk |
| Clinical negligence claims | cru.clinicalnegligence@dwp.gov.uk |
| NHS cases | cru.nhsops@dwp.gov.uk |
| Reviews | cru.reviews@dwp.gov.uk |
| Dispute resolution team and reviews | cru.appeals1@dwp.gov.uk |
| National recoupment team | recoupment.CRU@dwp.gov.uk |
| Queries about online service or e-service | cru.ebt@dwp.gov.uk |
Customer feedback team
| Subject | |
|---|---|
| Feedback on guidance and legislation | CRU.CustomerFeedback@dwp.gov.uk |
Freedom of Information
If you have a request under the Freedom of Information Act that is specific to CRU, email cru.foi@dwp.gov.uk.
Postal address
Debt Centre Sunderland
Compensation Recovery Unit
Post Handling Site B
Wolverhampton
WV99 2FR
Updates to this page
Last updated 16 July 2024 + show all updates
-
Added IBAN, swift code and bank name to banking details.
-
First published.