In early December we sent out a nationwide call to encourage all those people who are eligible to apply to one of the four existing Infected Blood Support Schemes.
If you are eligible, applying to one of the Infected Blood Support Schemes will mean that you can start receiving regular support payments. It will also mean that you are automatically eligible to make a compensation claim through the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme.
The four UK-wide schemes are:
- English Infected Blood Support Scheme (EIBSS)
- Scottish Infected Blood Support Scheme (SIBSS)
- Wales Infected Blood Support Scheme (WIBSS)
- Infected Blood Payment Scheme Northern Ireland (IBPS NI)
People who are eligible to sign-up to a support scheme include:
- Those who have been historically infected with Hepatitis C and/or HIV from NHS blood or blood products;
- Spouses, civil or long-term co-habiting partners following the death of someone infected who was already a member of a current or former scheme.
IBCA has been working with the Infected Blood Support Schemes, UK government and the Devolved Administrations to make sure that the future transition of support payments from the support schemes to IBCA is as smooth as possible.
On 31 March 2025,Infected Blood Support Schemes will stop taking new applications. The schemes are not closing on this date, and all support payments will continue.
Anyone who is eligible for compensation but not registered with a support scheme will still be able to submit a claim to IBCA for compensation once applications open fully.
IBCA is currently building a compensation claims service with input and guidance from those in the infected blood community.