On 12 February 2025, the Government announced a second set of regulations which can allow the England Infected Blood Support Scheme (EIBSS) to be transferred to the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) on 23 March 2026.
All those who are registered with EIBSS before 1 April 2025, will continue to receive support scheme payments until they are assessed by IBCA for their compensation claim. IBCA will request your records from EIBSS when they are able to move forward with your compensation claim.
During your compensation claim with IBCA, you will then be able to decide whether to accept a full compensation payment or continue to receive support payments for life. If you decide to continue with support payments for life, EIBSS will make these payments to you on behalf of IBCA, until EIBSS transfers to IBCA in March 2026.
Any discretionary payments received on or after 1 April 2025 will be counted towards your final compensation package, excluding prescription prepayment certificates and NHS Talking Therapies. You will also continue to receive the annual winter fuel payment, uplifted annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Newly bereaved partners in cases where the infected person was already a scheme member, and died between 1 January and 31 March 2025, can submit an application to the support schemes up to three months from the date of death. This is to allow a grace period after the 31 March 2025 deadline for new applications. After that date, estates and bereaved partners can apply for compensation from IBCA.
If you are eligible for EIBSS and haven’t yet registered, you need to apply by 31 March 2025. Applications for interim compensation payments on behalf of estates can be made after 31 March 2025.
Further information about this announcement and eligibility for compensation claims, can be found on the IBCA website.