Thousands of lives across the UK were forever changed by the infected blood scandal, a tragedy that left victims and families struggling for justice.
In response, the Government introduced the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme to offer financial redress and recognition.
With major updates announced in 2025, including the creation of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA), the scheme is evolving to better serve those affected.
This blog explores the latest developments, eligibility, application process, and what victims can expect moving forward.
What is the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme?
The Infected Blood Compensation Scheme is a UK Government initiative established to provide financial redress to individuals and families affected by the contaminated blood scandal that occurred in the 1970s and 1980s.
This scheme is designed to compensate victims who were infected with HIV and Hepatitis C due to contaminated blood and blood products provided through the NHS.
The scandal is considered one of the worst treatment disasters in NHS history, leaving thousands infected and many more affected by the loss of loved ones.
After decades of campaigning and public outcry, a formal inquiry into the scandal was launched, leading to the creation of a statutory framework for compensation.
The compensation scheme is now being administered through a newly formed body called the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA).
The IBCA is responsible for processing applications, assessing eligibility, and facilitating payments to claimants. It plays a central role in ensuring that victims and families receive the justice they’ve long fought for.
How Does the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Work?
The Infected Blood Compensation Scheme operates by offering both interim and final payments to those impacted by the scandal.
The goal is not only to alleviate financial pressure but also to formally recognise the suffering and injustice endured by thousands of individuals and families.
The scheme offers:
- Interim payments to provide immediate support to infected individuals and bereaved partners
- Final compensation packages based on individual circumstances, impact, and loss
- A choice between a full lump sum payout or continued support payments for life
- Continued support through EIBSS until the full handover to IBCA in 2026
This approach ensures that victims are not only financially supported but also respected through a fair, empathetic, and legally backed compensation process.
Who Is Eligible for the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme?
Eligibility under the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme is carefully structured to ensure fairness while encompassing the wide range of individuals and families affected by the scandal.
According to the 2025 legislation and government updates, the scheme includes both direct victims and certain categories of indirect sufferers.
The primary eligibility groups include:
- Individuals who were infected with HIV or Hepatitis C due to NHS-administered blood or blood products.
- People who later developed serious health conditions resulting from these infections.
- Bereaved partners and families of individuals who died due to these infections.
- Individuals indirectly affected, such as those who contracted the infection from an infected partner or parent.
In addition to those already receiving support through the England Infected Blood Support Scheme (EIBSS), the compensation scheme will also cater to estates and new applicants.
However, a critical eligibility deadline exists: all those intending to register with EIBSS must do so by 31 March 2025. Failing to register by this date may exclude potential claimants from continued support and possible future compensation.
Another notable provision is for newly bereaved partners. If an individual registered with EIBSS dies between 1 January and 31 March 2025, their bereaved partner will have up to three months from the date of death to submit a support application.
This grace period acknowledges the sensitivity of loss and allows time for affected individuals to come forward.
How Does the Application Process for the Compensation Scheme Work?
The application process for the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme is designed to be straightforward, compassionate, and sensitive to the circumstances of claimants.
Managed by the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA), the process ensures that all valid claims are assessed efficiently while safeguarding the rights of victims and families.
Applicants who are already part of the England Infected Blood Support Scheme (EIBSS) do not need to reapply from scratch.
IBCA will receive claimant records from EIBSS after the scheme’s official transfer on 23 March 2026. Until then, support payments will continue as usual through EIBSS for those registered before 1 April 2025.
For new applicants, especially bereaved partners, and representatives of estates, there are clear instructions:
- Applications to EIBSS must be submitted by 31 March 2025.
- After this deadline, only compensation claims via IBCA will be accepted.
- Bereaved partners of infected individuals who passed away between 1 January and 31 March 2025 have a three-month grace period from the date of death to apply.
Applicants will be asked to provide medical history, documentation of infection, relationship verification in the case of bereaved families, and any previous support received.
Once the IBCA assesses these materials, it will determine whether to offer a full compensation amount or continue with support payments.
IBCA will also factor in any discretionary payments received on or after 1 April 2025, excluding NHS Talking Therapies and prescription prepayment certificates, when calculating the final compensation amount.
Support such as the annual winter fuel payment, adjusted yearly by the Consumer Price Index, will also continue for qualifying individuals.
What Compensation Payments Are Being Offered and How Much?
The compensation payments under the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme are structured into interim and final categories. These payments are designed to reflect both financial hardship and the emotional toll experienced by victims and their families.
As of the 2025 update, the Government has already disbursed interim compensation payments of £100,000 to eligible living-infected individuals and bereaved partners.
These interim payments serve as an acknowledgment of wrongdoing and offer immediate financial support ahead of the final settlement framework.
Final compensation packages will be more comprehensive and tailored to individual cases. Factors considered will include:
- Nature and duration of the infection
- Medical expenses and loss of earnings
- Psychological and emotional trauma
- Impact on family life and bereavement
- Historical loss of opportunity or stigma experienced
Any discretionary payments received from EIBSS after 1 April 2025 will be deducted from the final compensation amount, with the exception of certain NHS services like Talking Therapies and prescription certificates.
When Will the Final Compensation Payments Be Made?
Timelines for final compensation payments under the scheme have been a key area of concern for victims and their families.
According to the latest Government announcement on 12 February 2025, substantial progress has been made towards the full rollout of the scheme.
The Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) will become operational and assume full responsibility for assessments and payments starting 23 March 2026.
Until that point, individuals registered with EIBSS before 1 April 2025 will continue to receive regular support payments.
While the interim payments have already been issued, the complete structure for final payments is still being finalised.
The Government has made clear its intention to begin scaling up the process throughout 2025, aiming to complete most assessments and initiate final payments in early 2026.
Important milestones in the payment timeline include:
- 31 March 2025: Last date for EIBSS registration
- April 2025 onwards: IBCA prepares for intake of claims
- 23 March 2026: Official transfer of EIBSS to IBCA
- 2026 onward: Full compensation payment processing begins
What Role Does the Infected Blood Compensation Authority Play?
The Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) is a newly established public body set up by the UK Government to administer compensation claims arising from the infected blood scandal.
This authority is central to the long-term delivery and oversight of the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme.
Announced as part of the February 2025 update, IBCA will become fully operational by 23 March 2026, taking over the responsibilities currently held by the England Infected Blood Support Scheme (EIBSS).
The key functions of the IBCA include:
- Receiving and processing new compensation applications
- Assessing claims based on medical, financial, and personal evidence
- Making final determinations on compensation amounts
- Liaising with bereaved families and legal representatives
- Managing ongoing payments for those who choose not to opt for a lump-sum
Unlike the previous support-focused schemes, the IBCA has a statutory mandate and broader authority.
This ensures a more robust, equitable, and consistent approach to delivering justice to victims. It is designed to streamline processes, reduce administrative barriers, and offer a single point of contact for all compensation-related matters.
How Has the 2025 Legislation Affected the Scheme?
The 2025 legislation represents a turning point in the history of the infected blood scandal.
Introduced through a statutory instrument, it provides the legal foundation for the establishment of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) and the long-term administration of compensation payments.
One of the most significant changes under the legislation is the formal transition of EIBSS responsibilities to IBCA by March 2026.
This legal transfer ensures that compensation processing is unified under one authority and that victims are no longer subject to fragmented or inconsistent support.
Key legislative outcomes include:
- Confirmation of March 2026 as the official handover date from EIBSS to IBCA
- Approval of continued support payments until compensation claims are fully processed
- A deadline of 31 March 2025 for new registrations to EIBSS
- Legal basis for the inclusion of discretionary payments (post-1 April 2025) in final compensation packages
- Protection for bereaved partners with a three-month grace period for application after loss
The legislation further reinforces the UK Government’s long-term commitment to victims. By creating a clear legal pathway, it ensures transparency and accountability in how compensation is distributed.
Moreover, this legal backing strengthens victims’ confidence in the scheme and sends a powerful message of responsibility and reparative action from the state.
How Are Bereaved Families and Representatives Supported Under the Scheme?
The infected blood scandal caused profound suffering not just to those who were directly infected, but also to their families.
Many lost loved ones due to infections contracted from contaminated NHS blood products. As such, the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme has specific provisions in place for bereaved families and representatives, particularly following the 2025 legislation.
Bereaved partners of individuals who were part of the England Infected Blood Support Scheme (EIBSS) are eligible for both interim and final compensation. A payment of £100,000 was already issued to qualifying bereaved partners in previous stages.
The scheme now includes detailed guidance on how these families can apply for continued support or claim full compensation through the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA).
Some key provisions include:
- Bereaved partners of registered EIBSS members who passed away between 1 January and 31 March 2025 are granted a three-month grace period from the date of death to submit their application to the support scheme.
- After 31 March 2025, new applications to EIBSS will no longer be accepted. However, estates and bereaved partners can submit compensation claims through IBCA instead.
- During the transition period, EIBSS will continue to provide payments on behalf of IBCA to those who opt for continued support rather than a full payout.
How Can Victims and Families Get Help with Their Claims?
Navigating the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme can feel daunting, especially for families still coping with the trauma of loss or illness.
To ensure all claimants receive the help they need, the Government and relevant agencies have put in place a variety of support services.
Those already registered with the England Infected Blood Support Scheme (EIBSS) will continue to receive guidance directly from the scheme.
As the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) begins its work, more structured resources will become available.
Victims and families can access help through:
Application Support
- Guidance documents and helplines are provided by EIBSS and soon by IBCA.
- Medical documentation assistance for claimants struggling to retrieve old records.
- Application walkthroughs offered by advocacy organisations.
Legal Aid and Representation
- Independent legal advisors familiar with the compensation process are available.
- Families representing estates or deceased claimants may receive additional guidance on documentation and application filing.
Ongoing Support Services
- Annual winter fuel payments continue under current regulations.
- NHS services like Talking Therapies remain available without affecting compensation totals.
- Claimants who choose to retain lifetime support payments will continue to receive them, even after the authority shift in March 2026.
Conclusion
The Infected Blood Compensation Scheme is more than a financial settlement. It is a national acknowledgment of a tragedy that unfolded in the shadows of public health care for decades.
With thousands affected by tainted NHS blood products, the UK Government has now stepped forward, offering structure, support, and, most importantly, justice.
The updated regulations for 2025 and beyond clearly set the stage for a comprehensive redress system.
Whether through financial aid, emotional support, or legislative reform, this initiative is built to provide closure, dignity, and relief to all those impacted by the scandal.
FAQs
What happens if someone misses the 31 March 2025 registration deadline?
If an individual does not register with the EIBSS by 31 March 2025, they may no longer be eligible for ongoing support payments. However, they may still be able to apply directly to the IBCA for compensation if they meet the broader eligibility criteria.
Can claimants receive both compensation and support payments?
Yes, but they must choose. Claimants can either opt for a one-time compensation payout or continue receiving lifetime support payments. Once a final compensation package is accepted, support payments will stop.
Are bereaved partners entitled to claim if their loved one died before joining EIBSS?
Yes, as long as the infected individual was eligible for the scheme, bereaved partners can apply through IBCA. Proof of relationship and infection circumstances will be required.
Will compensation payments affect other government benefits?
No official guidance has stated that these payments will negatively affect existing government benefits, but individuals are advised to seek legal advice based on their unique situation.
What support is available for making a claim?
Claimants can access helplines, written guidance, legal aid, and medical documentation support to help them complete their application correctly.
Can I appeal if my compensation amount is lower than expected?
Yes, the IBCA is expected to provide a formal appeals process to ensure fairness and allow claimants to challenge decisions they believe are incorrect.
What happens after the full transfer from EIBSS to IBCA in 2026?
From 23 March 2026 onwards, IBCA will be the sole authority handling compensation and support payments. EIBSS will no longer be involved in managing claims or disbursing funds.