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Getting financial advice to help you achieve your financial goals.

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How to access medical records through the National Haemophilia Database

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How to access medical records through the National Haemophilia Database

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To access patient records through the National Haemophilia Database, please download and complete the form that is applicable to you. You can find the relevant forms by following the steps listed below:

Click on the following link which will take you to the National Haemophilia Database www.ukhcdo.org

Then click 'Information for Patients'

Scroll down to the 'Access to National Haemophilia Database Health Records Application Form'

Choose the form that is most relevant to you, whether you are requesting a record for yourself or for someone else. You will also find a PDF file with further information here too.

You may send your completed form either by email or by post. Details of how to send are noted within the document.

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UKHCDO – United Kingdom Doctors’ Haemophilia Organisation

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Infected Blood Compensation: Register a Deceased Affected Person Claim - ibca.org.uk

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IBCA registration is now open for those claiming on behalf of deceased affected persons. Learn how executors and administrators can register for infected blood compensation.

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Register your intent to claim compensation - IBCA

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Register your intent to claim compensation

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Infected Blood Compensation Authority Calculator 

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Infected Blood Compensation Authority Calculator 

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IBCA - Use this calculator to find out how much compensation you may be entitled to from the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme.

This calculator is in line with the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Regulations 2025 for people who are:

infected

representing estates

affected

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Get an estimate of your compensation - IBCA

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Register your intent to claim compensation - IBCA

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Register your intent to claim compensation

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Register your intent to claim compensation - IBCA

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Register your intent to claim compensation

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Infected Blood Compensation Authority Calculator 

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Infected Blood Compensation Authority Calculator 

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IBCA - Use this calculator to find out how much compensation you may be entitled to from the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme.

This calculator is in line with the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Regulations 2025 for people who are:

infected

representing estates

affected

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Get an estimate of your compensation - IBCA

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Apply for an infected blood interim compensation payment as an estate

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Apply for an infected blood interim compensation payment as an estate

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Apply for an infected blood interim compensation payment as an estate

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Claim compensation and legal costs on behalf of someone registered with an Infected Blood Compensation Scheme or an Alliance House Organisation Scheme before 17 April 2024 who has died.

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If you would like support relating to any issues raised by the Infected Blood Inquiry, please contact the Bleeding Disorders Network though the contact details below.

0800 952 0055

BDNW.InfectedBloodInquiry.Cav@wales.nhs.uk

Please be aware that our phone line and email address operates between Monday to Friday, 9am - 4pm.

Please note that there is a dedicated phoneline for blood transfusion patients. These patients can contact our Concerns Teams on 02921836318 or alternatively email concerns@wales.nhs.uk

Anyone experiencing thoughts of imminent harm to themselves, or others should seek urgent medical help.

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Compensation for someone who is infected

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Compensation for someone who is infected

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These pages contain the most up-to-date information about infected blood compensation amounts. It is also the most reliable place for you to calculate the compensation you might get, before you make a claim.

You can also get compensation if you were infected by your partner or by living with an infected person. This works the same way as if you were infected directly from blood products.

If you were infected after the following dates you may need to provide further evidence around your infection:

HIV - after November 1985

Hepatitis C - after September 1991

Hepatitis B - after December 1972

These pages are intended to give you a guide to the amount of compensation you may receive.

We understand that the compensation scheme is complicated and some of the information on how claims will work has not been finalised yet. You may also have questions about how your own situation fits into the scheme.

We will keep you up to date with the latest information. When you start your claim, your claim manager will help you understand the compensation you can get and what you need to do.

Interim compensation payment

Your interim compensation amount will be deducted from the overall compensation amount you'll receive through the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme.

If you're nearing end of life

We are prioritising claims for those people who are nearing end of life who were infected and are registered with an existing support scheme.

Nearing end of life means that you have been told by your doctor or a medical professional that you have 12 months or less to live. This could be due to any medical condition or illness.

It does not need to be caused directly by infection from contaminated blood or blood products. If this applies to you, please contact us.

If the infected person has died

If you're claiming on behalf of the estate of an infected person who has died, their estate will be eligible for the same types of compensation as someone who is alive.

If you are infected and also affected

If you have been infected and have a partner or family member who is also infected, you can make separate claims for compensation as an 'affected person'.

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Infected Blood Compensation Authority information website

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Multidisciplinary teams or MDTs are teams consisting of individuals from different professions who work together to achieve a common goal. At the Bleeding Disorder Network Wales, the ‘psychosocial’ team is embedded in the MDT to support individuals as a whole.

The dedicated phone line and email address will be monitored and managed by Debbie & Sarah from the psychosocial team at the Cardiff Haemophilia Centre. Please see below a brief description of each person's role in the team:

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Debbie's role as a social worker supports patients with issues such as accommodation issues, care needs, carers rights, and financial issues.

Her role supporting individuals affected and infected by contaminated blood extends to supporting with completing compensation forms and navigating the process of accessing medical records.

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Sarah's role as a social work assistant is to support patients with issues including accommodation, care needs, carers rights and financial issues.

Sarah is able to support individuals infected and affected by contaminated blood with completing compensation forms, accessing medical records and gathering evidence as required.

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A psychology team has been created with the aim to provide emotional support for individuals infected and affected by contaminated blood. Here, you will be provided a confidential and safe space to share the emotional difficulties of being infected and/or affected, and the emotions you may feel from the aftermath of the inquiry. By providing a service such as this, we hope to help you feel valued, supported and listened to, during a time where you may not have felt this for some time. We hope to reassure you that you do not have to manage these emotions alone.

Please see below a list of reasons why someone may want to seek emotional support with a psychologist. This is not an exhaustive list, but to normalise some of the reasons why someone might want to talk:

-        Feelings of anger

-        Injustice

-        Grief

-        Anxiety

-        Low mood

-        Feelings of loss

-        Helplessness

-        Trauma (from the inquiry or at time of infection)

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You may feel that you would like some emotional support to come to terms with the infected blood inquiry. Wanting to talk about these feelings is normal and natural, however it may not be the right time for you right now and that is OK too. We are here to support you at any stage.

The team can have an informal telephone conversation with you to gather information about what your hopes and expectations are from the psychology service. From here, we collaboratively create a plan around how best to support you right now; whether that’s through our team or somewhere that can offer a different service.

We have a designated counselling room to meet individuals here at the haemophilia centre in University Hospital Wales, however if you prefer to be seen elsewhere we can offer support off site.

We are here to support everyone, but we understand that some may want to access support externally too. We can support you with signposting to appropriate support outside of our service. Please see below some other services that are offering emotional support:

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Welsh Infected Blood Support Scheme (WIBSS)

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Welsh Infected Blood Support Scheme (WIBSS)

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Contact number: 029 20196141

or email at: wibss.wellbeingservice@wales.nhs.uk

What they offer? How can they help?

Psychology and Wellbeing Services for individuals registered with WIBBS and their family members, and bereaved family members.

Welfare Advice

Support for Families of Deceased

Newsletters, Reports and Updates

WIBSS Application Forms

Applying to the scheme

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Since 1988, successive governments have set up various schemes to provide financial support to individuals infected with Hepatitis C, HIV or both through NHS treatment with contaminated blood products. The longstanding position has been that such ex gratia payments should be exempt from tax.

Following the introduction of new schemes, legislation was introduced in 2017 to ensure that periodical payments to beneficiaries from those schemes were exempt from income tax, in the same way as periodical payments from existing schemes.

The exemption only extends to the periodical payments or annuities in respect of the damages. Any return from investing those sums is not exempted. Once any money received from compensation is invested any interest received on that investment will be taxable in the normal way and should be declared in tax returns and self-assessments. Independent financial advice should be sought as previously advertised.
Infected Blood Inquiry
The planned publication of the Infected Blood Inquiry Final Report has been delayed until March 2024. The full statement is available online.
Publication of the Inquiry Report news story
Wales Infected Blood Support Scheme - WIBSS

Established in October 2017, the Wales Infected Blood Support Scheme (WIBSS) aims to provide support to people who have been infected with Hepatitis C and/or HIV as a result of NHS treatment with blood, blood products or tissue in Wales.

WIBSS has taken over from the UK previous schemes (Eileen Trust, Macfarlane Trust, MFET Ltd, Skipton Fund and Caxton Foundation) and aims to provide both a streamlined financial payment service, a Welfare Advice Service and a Psychology and Well-being service for Welsh beneficiaries and their families.

Welsh Government provide Directions and Regulations that WIBSS follow, all Directions and Regulation amendments can be found here.

Welsh Government has notified WIBSS of the revised rates for 2022-2023. This rate will be applicable from 1 st April 2022. To see the revised rates, please click here.

The Minister for Health remains committed to addressing the remaining disparities across the schemes. She has therefore, agreed to the introduction of the Winter Fuel Payment (currently £544) to those on our scheme that are bereaved spouses/partners. This payment will be made before the end of this financial year (31 st March 2022). In future years it will be paid in the October.

Please click the link to access the current Customer Satisfaction Survey Report for WIBSS.

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Clarification on tax implications of interest earned on the investment of payments and action required Since 1988, successive governments have set up various schemes to provide financial support to individuals infected with Hepatitis C, HIV or both through NHS treatment ... Continued

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Contact number: 0800 458 9473 or 0203 417 0280

at these times:

What do they offer?

Confidential support service via telephone

When do they offer this?

Monday between 11am and 1pm

Wednesday between 7pm and 9pm

Friday between 2pm and 4pm

Or leave a message and someone will return your call as soon as possible

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What do they offer?

Confidential helpline offering information and support.

Staffed by people with personal experience of hepatitis C diagnosis and treatment.

Community support group over Zoom

Helpline number: 020 7089 6221

From Monday to Friday: 10:30am - 4:30pm

or email at:

helpline@hepctrust.org

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The Hepatitis C Trust is a charity dedicated to eliminating hepatitis C in the UK by 2030. Find information and support about the virus here.

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What do they offer?

Cruse offers bereavement support through their website, national helpline, group, zoom, telephone, or one to one in person support.

Search for services that are available in your local area.

Helpline number:

You can call for free on 0808 808 1677

Opening hours:

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:30am - 5pm

Tuesday: 1pm - 8pm

Saturday - Sunday: Closed

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We're here to help you no matter how long you've been grieving. Learn more about our different bereavement support services here.

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BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) Counselling Directory

Here, you can search for accredited counsellors who are a part of the BACP (professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists practising in the United Kingdom).

Use the search bar to tailor to your preferences and needs.

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Type what you’re looking for into the search box then use the filters if you want to narrow your search further.

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The Adlerian Society offers low cost counselling, as well as full cost counselling with options for support to be delivered either face to face, telephone or online. Branch based in West Wales.

Address:

56 St James Street, Narberth, SA67 7DA

Contact by telephone:

Call on 01834 860330

Email at:

office@adleriansocietywales.org.uk

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Adlerian Society of Wales – Centre of Excellence

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How to access medical records - for yourself 

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How to access medical records - for yourself 

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Applying for a grant of probate or letters of administration 

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Applying for a grant of probate or letters of administration 

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See here for an update regarding how to apply for a grant of probate for the estate of a deceased infected person: IHTM05202 - Compensation schemes: Infected Blood Estates Interim Payment Scheme Declaration for deaths before 31 December 1981 - HMRC internal manual - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The “Grant application” refers to an application made for a “Grant of Probate or “Letters of Administration” – Instructions for said application can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/applying-for-probate/apply-for-probate

To find your most local court or tribunal to send this declaration to, search here: What is your postcode? - Find a Court or Tribunal - GOV.UK (find-court-tribunal.service.gov.uk)

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IHTM05202 - Compensation schemes: Infected Blood Estates Interim Payment Scheme Declaration for deaths before 31 December 1981 - HMRC internal manual - GOV.UK

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The UK Government’s Infected Blood Estates Interim Payment
Scheme provides interim payments of £100,000 to eligible estates of deceased
infected beneficiaries of the Infected Blood Support Schemes (UK IBSS). Full
eligibility criteria is available on GOV.UK.

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Infected Blood Interim Payments to Estates: Compensation Application

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Infected Blood Interim Payments to Estates: Compensation Application

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Infected Blood Interim Payments to Estates (of a deceased infected person), whose death has not yet been recognised

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Infected Blood Interim Payments to Estates (of a deceased infected person), whose death has not yet been recognised

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Personal Representatives (the Executor) of the estate of a deceased infected person, whose death has not yet been recognised, can use this form to apply for interim compensation from the UK Government. This is a fixed compensation award of £100,000, which will be deducted from any final award.

To apply, the person who has died must have been registered with an existing UK Infected Blood Support Scheme, or former Alliance House Organisation (AHO) scheme (The Macfarlane Trust, Eileen Trust, Skipton Fund or Caxton Foundation), on or before the 17th April 2024.

A Personal Representative is not eligible to apply if an interim payment has already been made to the infected person prior to their death, to their bereaved partner or to their estate. Only a Personal Representative (the executor) named on the grant of probate, confirmation or letter of Administration can make a claim for compensation. Check your eligibility, view guidance and find further information on support available to complete this form at www.gov.uk/infected-blood-compensation-estates.

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How to access medical records - for a deceased family member 

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How to access medical records - for a deceased family member 

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The Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) was established in law and set up by the UK Government in response to the Infected Blood Inquiry. They pay compensation to people infected and affected by HIV, hepatitis B and C through contaminated blood, blood products or tissue. We also offer extra support, such as access to independent legal and financial advice when people make a claim.

IBCA is an arms-length body, independent from the government and sponsored by the Cabinet Office. This means that IBCA is not a government department.

The government is responsible for responding to the recommendations of the Infected Blood Inquiry and has created the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme, which it also funds.

Read more about IBCA's role and commitment to the infected and affected blood community through:

words of David Foley, Chief Executive

words of Sir Robert Francis KC, Interim Chair

Stay up to date

You can sign up for community updates (email newsletter). You can also read previous community updates on GOV.UK.

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The Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Regulations 2025

Infection severity levels for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C

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The Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Regulations 2025

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These Regulations expand the infected blood compensation scheme (“the IBCS”) established by the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/872, “the first Regulations”). These Regulations implement new routes for the payment of compensation to victims of the infected blood scandal, and others affected by it. In doing so, these Regulations restate the provision made by the first Regulations, and ensures continuity for applications and compensation payments made under the first Regulations.

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IBCA Community update: 7th May 2026

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Compensation for partners, family members and carers

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Compensation for partners, family members and carers

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Compensation for someone who is affected: Overview and eligibility - IBCA

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Infected Blood Compensation Authority information website

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Compensation for estates: Overview and eligibility - ibca.org.uk

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Information about claiming compensation on behalf of someone who has died.

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Haemophilia Wales provides information, support and advocacy to individuals with a bleeding disorder. As a charity run by volunteers with haemophilia or affected by haemophilia, it can offer a sense of community with people who have experienced similar experiences.

Please visit the link to Haemophilia Wales’ website to find out more information.

Or contact directly by phoning at 02920 743403 (daytime)/ 02920 747747 (out of hours), or contact by emailing to ‘info@haemophiliawales.org’.

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Who Are We?

Haemophilia Wales provides information, support and advocacy to everyone with Haemophilia, Von Willebrands and other bleeding disorders, including their families and carers. In Wales there are approximately 900 people with an Inherited Bleeding Disorder, Haemophilia is a lifelong condition it is therefore important that you and your child learn about the condition in order to enjoy a healthy life.

Haemophilia is treatable and a child born with Haemophilia in Wales can look forward to a normal life expectancy and an excellent quality of life.

Our Vision

To ensure that we have choice in the care we receive and a voice for everyone with a bleeding disorder in Wales and ultimately a cure.

Our Mission

- To provide Information, Support and Advocacy for everyone with a Bleeding Disorder
- To ensure access to Comprehensive care and new treatments
- To campaign for an acknowledgement and compensation for Haemophiliacs infected with contaminated blood products in the 1970s & 1980s

Update on financial support

From 1 November 2017 support will be provided by a separate governmental organisation in each of the four UK devolved administrations, assistance is determined on the basis where an individual was infected with HIV and or Hepatitis C. All requests for assistance should be directed in the first instance to the dedicated offices list below.
Wales: Infected Blood Support Scheme
https://wibss.wales.nhs.uk/about/
Tel: 02920902280
E mail: wibss@wales.nhs.uk
England: NHS Business Services Authority
https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/england-infected-blood-support-scheme
Tel: 0300 330 1294
Email: nhsbsa.eibss@nhs.net
Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland Regional Business Services Organisation
http://www.hscbusiness.hscni.net/services/2876.htm
Tel: 02895 363817
Email: bso.ibss@hscni.net

Scotland: Support for those infected in Scotland has been provided by NHS National Services Scotland since 1 April 2017
Tel: 0131 295 6754
Email: NSS.SIBSS@nhs.net

Haemophilia Centres in Wales

Cardiff - 02920 743403 (Daytime) / 02920 747747 (Out of Hours)

Bangor - 01248 348008 (Daytime) / 01248 384384 (Out of Hours)

Swansea - 01792 200368 (Daytime) / 01792 205666 (Out of Hours)

Abergavenny - 01873 732372 (Daytime) / 01873 732732 (Out of Hours)

Contact Us

Address: Haemophilia Wales, 17 Alfreda Road, Cardiff, Whitchurch, CF14 2EH

Email: info@haemophiliawales.org
Facebook: /HaemophiliaWales

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Haemophilia Wales provides information, support and advocacy to everyone with Haemophilia, Von Willebrands and other bleeding disorders.

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14 April 2026  -Consultation outcome. Government response to consultation on changes to the infected blood compensation scheme.

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14 April 2026  -Consultation outcome. Government response to consultation on changes to the infected blood compensation scheme.

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Government response to consultation on changes to the infected blood compensation scheme

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Inquiry Recommendation: “Where there is evidence that an individual was the victim of unethical research practices IBCA should be authorised to make an unethical research practices award to that individual.

When considering the evidence IBCA applies the wider definition of research explained in the Infected Blood Inquiry Additional Report chapter on Unethical Research.

The Minister considers whether the £10,000 (£15,000 for Treloar’s pupils) should in justice be increased and further decides what sum he considers accords most closely with the general public’s sense of justice and fairness in respect of an individual being subject of research without informed consent.”

Government response to the consultation

Anyone who received treatment for a bleeding disorder in the UK before 1986 will now be eligible for additional compensation through the Unethical Research award. The value of these awards has increased.

·         Those who were treated as adults will receive an award of £30,000.

·         Those who were treated as children will receive an award of £45,000.

·         Children who were treated whilst attending Treloar’s will receive an award of £60,000.

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Past financial Loss and Care Awards

Inquiry recommendation:  people who were infected early in life or in working life before they had been able to realise their potential. It acknowledged that in the case of a child ‘it is unusual for there to be any evidence which will show on balance of probabilities that earnings would be any higher – or any less – than median earnings. However, it suggested that there could be cases where the evidence is strong that the potential for higher-than-average earnings was real and gives the case of someone who has started professional training with every apparent prospect of succeeding but is then infected and therefore unable to pursue their career. Inquiry recommendation: “‘x’ be removed from the equation set out in Regulation 7.”

Government response to the consultation

Financial Loss: More compensation will be available for people who would have had the potential to earn higher than average if it weren’t for the impact of the infection on their life, but who do not have actual evidence of higher earnings.

We can confirm that payslips will not be the only form of evidence that IBCA accepts. The regulations underpinning the Exceptional Loss award do not limit the types of evidence that IBCA is able to accept. This is so that the regulations do not inadvertently prevent people from accessing the award when they should be able to claim it. It means a wide range of evidence can be used by claimants.

We will introduce a new £60,000 award for infected people who can show that they had entered or had an offer to enter a career where the median gross salary is 10% higher than the gross median earnings in 2023, but who were unable to progress this career due to their infection.

Care:   Government will remove a 25% reduction applied to past Care compensation for people who choose to receive support payments for life. IBCA will use both (averaging and   year-by-year calculation) ways of calculating past Financial Loss. This means whichever option gives a claimant a higher value award will be used to calculate their compensation. This will be automatically calculated by IBCA.

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Inquiry recommendation:

“The Government reconsider whether to maintain its rejection in February 2025 of the recommendations of Sir Robert Francis KC and advice from the Infected Blood Inquiry Response Expert Group of August 2024, which was expressly accepted at the time by the Government, to introduce (as one of six health impact groups which would justify a severe health condition award) the following for people infected with Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.

Government response to the consultation

‘Other Hepatitis C associated extra hepatic disorders resulting in long-term severe disability. This includes those currently assessed as the following category on IBSS:

·         Hepatitis Special Category Mechanism (EIBSS)

·         ‘Severely Affected’ Hepatitis C (SIBSS

·         Hepatitis C Stage 1 Plus (WIBSS)

WIBSS - From 2019 an Enhanced Payment Scheme for those beneficiaries with Chronic Hepatitis C (Stage 1) infection, who are experiencing significant mental health issues or post-traumatic stress (PTS) became available. There is no requirement for medical input into the application process.  Beneficiaries will simply be asked if they are suffering from any mental health issues or post-traumatic stress; whether they feel these issues are related to their infection from contaminated blood or blood products; and whether the symptoms are affecting their ability to carry out day to day activities.  If the answer to these questions is yes, there will be no need for further assessment because the person has already been diagnosed with hepatitis C infection from infected blood or blood products.

·         Hepatitis C Stage 1 Enhanced Payments (NIIBSS)’”

Everyone receiving this new award will receive uplifts to their Financial Loss and Care awards from 2017, regardless of when SCM was awarded.

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Recognition of Harm caused by Treatment with Interferon

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Recognition of Harm caused by Treatment with Interferon

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Inquiry recommendation:

“People infected with Hepatitis B or C who have received a course of treatment with or based on interferon should be recognised as entitled to core awards at Level 3.”

The Inquiry went on to say that treatment with interferon should be recognised through Level 3 or the introduction of a new infection severity band. The Inquiry said, “the choice – [Level] 3 or [Level] 2B – is for his [the Minister’s] judgment”.

Government response to the consultation A ‘Level 2B’ category of Financial Loss has been created for people who suffered side effects of interferon treatment, with payment for each round of interferon. Financial loss will be calculated at a rate of 80% for two years.

·         A one-off uplift to the Injury award of £10,000 will go to people infected with hepatitis C and B currently on level 2 banding (chronic).

A summary of the new Level 2B infection severity band and what it means for eligible people’s compensation is below:

·         Eligibility

Anyone who can evidence treatment with interferon (with or without other drugs, such as ribavirin) will automatically qualify for Level 2B, without having to prove the duration of their treatment, side effects, financial loss or care needs.

·         Injury award

Anyone eligible will receive a £10,000 uplift on the current Level 2 band, bringing the total value of the Injury award to £70,000.

·         Financial Loss award

Anyone eligible will receive a two-year uplift of financial loss to 80% (compared to 40% at Level 2). The total award value would therefore be £23,726 per annum (80% of UK median salary plus 5%) for two years (the year in which interferon treatment was started and the year after) before reverting to the Level 2 level.

·         Care award

Anyone eligible will receive one additional year of low-level care (16.5 hours per week, for the year) compared to Level 2.

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Inquiry recommendation:

“The approach of the Infected Blood Psychology Service is adopted so that both a diagnosis made by a psychiatric professional and a formulation-based opinion of all qualified psychological and counselling professionals are accepted as sufficient evidence of severe psychological harm and that such evidence should qualify a person for a supplementary Severe Health Condition award without the additional need to demonstrate a period of consultant-led secondary mental health treatment or assessment/treatment as an inpatient.”

Severe Psychological Harm which cannot be evidenced under the current system could be compensated through new SCM categories offering additional financial loss and care compensation for psychological harm.

Government response to the consultation

new SCM award will broaden the criteria to recognise psychological harm from the infected blood scandal, and therefore the best way to give people more appropriate compensation for the harm they experienced.

It provides people with a Financial Loss award of £17,794 (post-effective treatment) or £20,760 (before effective treatment) per year until retirement age (66 years); and a Care award of £5,460 per year to cover weekly domestic and ad hoc care for life. The Severe Health Condition award for Severe Psychiatric Conditions exists to still compensate for the most severe harm at 100% financial loss.

This means the Scheme will now offer three levels of support for mental health:

·         The core route: for the general mental injury, distress, and stigma that almost everyone has suffered.

·         The new SCM award: for people whose poor mental health because of their infection or treatment has had a major impact on their ability to work and live their daily lives, meaning they suffered more financial loss and required more care than the core route compensation has given them

·         The Severe Health Condition award for Severe Psychiatric Conditions: This will stay in place for those who have a diagnosis of a severe psychiatric disorder and have had specialist hospital care, leading to total inability to carry on working.

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Supplementary Awards for Affected People

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Supplementary Awards for Affected People

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Inquiry recommendation: “The Minister consider there being a supplementary route for people affected. This could include opening the supplemental award for severe psychological harm to people affected. He should involve parents, children, siblings, partners and carers, and their legal representatives if wished, in this consideration.”

Government response to the consultation

Some affected people will receive more core compensation. To reflect the unique and long-lasting impact of their experiences, the following affected people will receive a 50% uplift to their Injury award:

Children and siblings affected whilst under the age of 18, so that those affected in childhood receive 50% uplift of their core compensation.  The uplift will be given to eligible people alongside their core route claim.

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Evidence Requirements for Exceptional Loss

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Evidence Requirements for Exceptional Loss

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Inquiry recommendation:

The Inquiry a commented on the situation of people who were infected early in life or in working life before they had been able to realise their potential. It acknowledged that in the case of a child ‘it is unusual for there to be any evidence which will show on balance of probabilities that earnings would be any higher – or any less – than median earnings. However, it suggested that there could be cases where the evidence is strong that the potential for higher-than-average earnings was real and gives the case of someone who has started professional training with every apparent prospect of succeeding but is then infected and therefore unable to pursue their career.

Government response to the consultation

We will introduce a new £60,000 award for infected people who can show that they had entered or had an offer to enter a career where the median gross salary is 10% higher than the gross median earnings in 2023, but who were unable to progress this career due to their infection.

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Compensation payments and your entitlement to benefit support

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Compensation payments and your entitlement to benefit support

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The compensation you receive from IBCA does not count as income or savings (capital) in the calculation of entitlement to means-tested benefits. Your compensation payment will not affect your entitlement to current or future means-tested benefits.

This also applies if you receive a payment from the estate of a deceased infected person.

The means-tested benefits are:

Universal Credit (UC)

Income Support (IS)

income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (income-based JSA)

income-related Employment and Support Allowance (income-related ESA)

Housing Benefit (HB) - administered by local authorities

Pension Credit (PC)

Council Tax Reduction - administered by local authorities

You will need to tell DWP about your payments and any income or savings by calling the number at the top of letters they have sent you about your benefits.

If you are currently receiving means-tested benefits, or think you might receive them in the future, it is important you keep your compensation payment in a separate account. You should not mix your compensation payment with any existing money you already have. This is because any interest, gains or profit you make from investing your compensation payment might be considered when assessing your eligibility for means-tested benefits.

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What investing your compensation means for your benefit support

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What investing your compensation means for your benefit support

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If you keep your payment in a savings account, any interest or income you earn which comes from an investment made using your compensation payment only will not affect your entitlement to current or future means-tested benefits.

If you invest your payment in stocks and shares, any gains you make will not affect your entitlement to current or future means-tested benefits when sold.

If you use your payment to purchase property, any profit you make will not affect your entitlement to current or future means-tested benefits when sold.

Any interest, gains or profit you make must be a direct result of investments made using your compensation payment only.

If you combine your compensation payment with any existing savings you may have, any interest, gains or profit you make might be considered when assessing your eligibility for current or future means-tested benefits.

You will need to provide evidence that investments were made from your compensation payment. You can do this by keeping your compensation payment in a separate bank account from any other savings you may have. If you have any existing savings, you should request a bank statement to confirm the date and the amount.