The Infected Blood Compensation Scheme is run by the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) on a UK-wide basis. It compensates people infected with HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C through NHS blood, blood products or tissue, their partners, parents, children, siblings and unpaid carers, and the estates of those who have died. You can register your intent to claim online. If you were diagnosed before 1 April 2025 you can claim until 31 March 2031; after that date, you have six years from diagnosis. Compensation is free of income tax, capital gains tax and inheritance tax, and does not affect means-tested benefits.
The scheme responds to recommendations made by the Infected Blood Inquiry, and its eligibility rules and award amounts are set by the scheme and its regulations. This guide explains who qualifies, how to claim, how payments work, how to challenge a decision, and how the support schemes in each UK nation fit in. We are an independent information service, not a law firm, and we do not handle claims.
What the scheme is
GOV.UK says IBCA will deliver the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme, providing financial compensation to victims of infected blood on a UK-wide basis, in response to recommendations made by the Infected Blood Inquiry. The legal basis is the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Regulations 2025, which have since been amended. IBCA says it is processing claims from infected people, from affected people, and from people acting for the estate of an infected person who has died.
Who counts as an infected person
According to the official overview, a directly infected person is someone infected through NHS-supplied blood, blood products or tissue with:
- HIV;
- acute or chronic hepatitis C;
- chronic hepatitis B; or
- acute hepatitis B, where they died from acute liver failure within 12 months of the infection.
An indirectly infected person was infected by someone who was directly infected, for example by a partner, or by a mother who was herself infected by her partner. People who have recovered from or cleared their infection can still apply. People infected after screening began may be asked for extra evidence; the overview gives the dates as November 1985 for HIV, September 1991 for hepatitis C and December 1972 for hepatitis B. People registered with a current infected blood support scheme are considered automatically eligible, although IBCA may ask for more information.
Family members and carers (affected people)
| Relationship | Main condition |
|---|---|
| Partner | Spouse, civil partner, or partner who lived with the infected person for at least one year following infection |
| Parent | Cared for and lived with the infected person for at least a year while they were under 18 |
| Child | Cared for by and living with the infected parent for at least a year while under 18 |
| Sibling | Lived with the infected sibling for at least two years while under 18 |
| Unpaid carer | Provided an average of 16.5 hours of care a week for at least six months after infection |
Affected people whose loved one had an acute hepatitis C infection are not eligible. IBCA says the relationship must have existed before 31 March 2025 or, if later, the date of the infected person's diagnosis.
How to claim
- Register your intent to claim online with IBCA. A dedicated claim manager then explains what you can get and what you need to provide.
- Priority for people nearing the end of life: IBCA prioritises claims where a doctor or medical professional has said the person may have 12 months or less to live.
- Someone can represent you, either an attorney under a power of attorney or someone you know and trust, although only an attorney can sign documents and receive payment for you.
- Interim payments already received are deducted from the final compensation. GOV.UK says estates applying for an interim compensation payment should apply by 30 October 2026.
Payments, tax and benefits
The overview says compensation can be paid as a single lump sum or as regular instalments over 5, 10 or 25 years, uplifted each year in line with the Consumer Prices Index, and people can later switch from instalments to a lump sum. All compensation paid through the scheme is exempt from income tax, capital gains tax and inheritance tax, and does not affect eligibility for means-tested benefits. Awards are made under several headings, including injury, social impact, autonomy, care and financial loss; IBCA publishes an estimator on its website, and we do not reproduce the tariff amounts here.
Deadlines, reviews and appeals
Deadline. IBCA says you can claim until 31 March 2031 if you were diagnosed before 1 April 2025, and within six years of diagnosis if you were diagnosed after that date.
Challenging an offer. You have three months to decide whether to accept an offer, and you must ask for a review within three months of the offer date. Further evidence must be sent within six months of asking for a review. If you are still not satisfied after the review, you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal within one month of receiving the review outcome, and to the Upper Tribunal on a point of law. IBCA cannot review an offer once you have signed the decision form accepting it.
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
The compensation scheme is UK-wide, but support payments have been made by four separate infected blood support schemes, one each for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. IBCA says these schemes are closing and responsibility for support payments is transferring to IBCA in early 2027: the Welsh scheme on 15 January 2027, the Scottish scheme and the Northern Ireland scheme on 1 February 2027, and the English scheme on 23 March 2027. IBCA says there will be no gap in support and people do not need to do anything.
Frequently asked questions
Who can claim infected blood compensation?
People infected with HIV, hepatitis C, chronic hepatitis B, or acute hepatitis B where they died of acute liver failure within 12 months, through NHS blood, blood products or tissue, including indirect infections. Partners, parents, children, siblings and unpaid carers who meet the scheme's conditions can claim as affected people, and estates can claim for someone who has died.
What is the deadline for infected blood compensation?
If you were diagnosed before 1 April 2025, you can claim until 31 March 2031. If you were diagnosed after 1 April 2025, you can claim for six years after your diagnosis.
Can family members claim infected blood compensation?
Yes, as affected people. Partners, parents, children, siblings and unpaid carers can claim if they meet conditions such as living with or caring for the infected person for set periods. Affected people whose loved one had an acute hepatitis C infection are not eligible.
Can I claim for someone who has died?
Yes. The estate of an infected person who has died is eligible for the same types of compensation as someone who is alive. GOV.UK says estates applying for an interim compensation payment should apply by 30 October 2026.
Is infected blood compensation taxed or means-tested?
No. The official overview says all compensation paid through the scheme is exempt from income tax, capital gains tax and inheritance tax, and does not affect eligibility for means-tested benefits.
What if I disagree with my compensation offer?
Ask IBCA for a review within three months of the offer date. If you are still not satisfied, you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal within one month of the review outcome, and to the Upper Tribunal on a point of law. Do not sign the decision form if you want a review.
Get help from official, free sources
- Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA): register intent to claim and estimate compensation
- GOV.UK: official scheme documents and interim payment forms
- Citizens Advice: free, impartial guidance, including on benefits
- Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA): check a solicitor is regulated if you use one
Related guides: medical negligence claims, hospital infection claims, needlestick injury claims, tax on compensation, compensation and benefits and claiming for someone else.
Official sources used for this guide: GOV.UK: Infected Blood Compensation Authority; GOV.UK: scheme overview for living infected persons; GOV.UK: scheme overview for affected people; IBCA: how the scheme works; Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Regulations 2025. This guide is general information about the law in the UK, not legal advice; the law can change, so check your own position with a regulated solicitor.