Infected Blood Payment Scheme for NI
The Infected Blood Payment Scheme for Northern Ireland is a payment scheme to provide support for individuals and their families, who have been infected with, or otherwise affected by HIV, Hepatitis C, or both, following treatment with NHS-supplied blood, tissue or blood products.
Eligibility
Individuals infected with, or otherwise affected by, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and/or Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), through contaminated blood, tissue or blood products provided during National Health Service (NHS) treatment in Northern Ireland.
Treatment leading to HIV and/or HCV will have occurred in Northern Ireland, even if the individual eligible now lives in another country.
Support Available
The Scheme offers various types of financial support, including:
- One off Ex Gratia Payments in relation to HIV, Chronic & Advanced Hepatitis C
- Monthly or Quarterly Support Payments for Infected Beneficiaries
- Annual Winter Fuel Payment
- Discretionary One off Grant Support (Means Tested)
- Discretionary Income Top Up Support (Means Tested)
Making a claim
If you have previously registered with any of the UK support schemes (Eileen Trust, Macfarlane Trust, MFET Ltd, Skipton Fund or Caxton Foundation) and eligible to join the Infected Blood Payment Scheme for Northern Ireland you should have received a letter to let you know about the changes and to ask for your consent to transfer your details to the new scheme.
If you haven't already done this, you should do it as soon as possible by getting in touch with the charity you registered with. If you haven't given consent, you will not receive your payments.
You do not have the option to remain with the UK schemes and continue to receive payments from them.
For further information or if you would like to apply for the first time, please contact the scheme by email (bso.ibss@hscni.net), telephone (028 9536 3817) or in writing to:-