How does the infected blood compensation scheme work?

The infected blood compensation scheme was set up in August 2024 to provide compensation for people who were infected and affected by HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C through contaminated blood, blood products and tissue. It is administered by the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA), an independent arms-length public body.

Establishing a compensation scheme was the primary recommendation of the Infected Blood Inquiry, which published its main report in May 2024. The Library briefing Infected Blood Inquiry: compensation provides more detailed information about the establishment of the scheme.

This explains how the compensation scheme works and includes links to sources of further information. The information below is general and not intended to address specific cases.

Who is eligible to receive infected blood compensation?

Eligibility for compensation through the scheme is set out in regulations and covers both infected and affected people. The scheme is open to:

• People who were infected with HIV, hepatitis C, or a serious or chronic (long-term) case of hepatitis B, after they received blood, blood products or tissue during NHS treatment, or armed forces treatment overseas.
• People who were infected with these viruses by an infected person (sometimes called ‘secondary infections’) in defined circumstances, including via sex during a long-term relationship, or because they lived in close proximity with an infected person.
• The partners, parents, children, siblings and unpaid carers of infected people (‘affected people’).
• The estates of infected people who have died.
• The estates of affected people who died after 21 May 2024 and before 31 March 2031.

The IBCA website provides more information about eligibility for infected people, affected people and the estates of people who have died.

How can people apply for compensation?

People can register with the infected blood compensation scheme if they intend to apply for compensation. However, they cannot begin their claim until they are contacted by the IBCA. The IBCA is rolling out the compensation scheme in stages and directly contacting eligible people to ask them to make a claim.

The first group of people who were contacted by the IBCA were living infected people who were registered with an existing UK infected blood support scheme (IBSS).

The IBCA says it will contact people about claims from the following groups in turn:

• Claims for living infected people who have never previously received any compensation began in November 2025.
• Claims for deceased infected people began in December 2025.
• Claims for affected people also began in December 2025.

Within these groups, the IBCA aims to prioritise people who are nearing the end of their life. If an individual has been told by a doctor that they are in the last 12 months of life, they can contact the IBCA to let them know.

Since the 9 October 2025, people who intend to make a claim can register with the IBCA using an online form, or by telephoning 0141 471 8886 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm). The registration form allows people to provide information about themselves (or someone they represent) to prepare for making a claim. It also allows people to let the IBCA know if they are nearing the end of their life and should therefore be prioritised for making a claim.

Registration does not begin the claim process. Individuals who have registered should wait to be contacted by the IBCA to begin the claim process.

What documents or evidence do individuals applying for compensation need?

Claimants will be required to provide a range of documents to support their compensation claim. Depending on their individual circumstances, these are likely to include:

• proof of identity (like a passport or driving license)
• medical records
• employment records
• details of care received.

The IBCA says that affected people who claim compensation may need to provide extra information, but the details have not yet been published.

Routine screening of donated blood was introduced for hepatitis B in 1972, for hepatitis C in 1991, and for HIV in 1985. The evidence requirements for infections that happened after these dates are higher. This affects:

• People who were infected with hepatitis B after 1 December 1972.
• People who were infected with HIV after 1 November 1985.
• People who were infected with hepatitis C after 1 September 1991.

The government has acknowledged that it may be difficult for some people to provide historical medical records and says the IBCA will help people who believe their medical records have been lost or destroyed. The Library has published information about accessing health records.

The IBCA has published information about the documents that will be required to evidence compensation claims as well as general information about preparing to make a claim.

How much compensation will eligible people receive?

The IBCA compensation calculator can be used to estimate how much compensation a person may be eligible to receive.

Compensation amounts depend on the claimant’s circumstances and their specific medical history. Compensation amounts are higher where people have experienced more severe infections, or more than one infection.

Each compensation offer consists of several awards, intended to recognise the different ways that infected blood has affected the claimant’s life. For each award, the regulations set out the amount of compensation that will be paid or how this should be calculated. In April 2026, the government announced some changes to the scheme, that will increase the amount of compensation offered to some individuals.

The table below summarises the purpose and calculation of the main awards available for infected people.

Table 1 Compensation awards for infected people Award Purpose Calculation Injury award Recognises harm to past and future physical and mental health. Fixed amounts relating to the severity of infection and whether someone experienced one infection, or more than one infection. Social impact award Recognises stigma or isolation experienced because of infection. Fixed amounts, depending on whether someone experienced one infection, or more than one infection. Autonomy award Recognises the loss of control over personal decisions. Fixed amounts relating to the severity of infection, with additional compensation for the victims of unethical research practices. Care award Compensates for years when a person needed help, from professionals or family members. Calculated based on a typical pattern of care needs and commercial care costs, relating to the severity of infection, with additional compensation for people who can show they had higher care needs or costs. Financial loss award Compensates for years of lost earnings in the past or future, including taking care of children or maintaining a household. Calculated based on the average anticipated loss of earnings due to infection and treatment, based on median UK earnings, with additional compensation for people who can demonstrate they had greater financial losses. Source: Government Update on the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme (26 November 2025)

The total compensation offer for each claimant will also take into account any compensation payments they have already received. This affects anyone who received interim compensation payments before the scheme was formally established. These interim payments will be deducted from the final compensation offer from the IBCA.

How will compensation be paid?

Living infected and affected people who receive compensation can choose how they receive their payment. This can be:

• a single lump sum payment, or
• a series of regular payments over a five, 10 or 25 year period, with payments uplifted each year in line with the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) measure of inflation.

It will also be possible for people to switch between these options.

When someone has died, their estate will receive compensation as a single lump sum payment.

People who already receive regular payments from a UK Infected Blood Support Scheme (IBSS) can choose to continue to receive these payments. If someone continues to receive IBSS support payments, this will reduce the amount of compensation awarded for future care and financial losses. However, if someone dies before they receive the full value of their care and financial loss awards, the remaining compensation due will be paid to their estate.

Is infected blood compensation tax free?

Infected blood compensation payments are exempt from income tax, capital gains tax and inheritance tax.

In the Autumn Budget 2025, the Chancellor announced additional relief from inheritance tax to:

• provide relief from inheritance tax in cases where a compensation claimant dies before their compensation has been paid, and
• give the first living recipients of compensation two years to gift some or all of their compensation payment without incurring an inheritance tax charge.

Compensation payments will also not affect entitlement to means-tested benefits.

What support is available for individuals claiming compensation?

The IBCA says that all compensation claimants will have a dedicated claim manager. The claim manager will provide advice and assistance to help claimants collect evidence to support a claim. They will also explain the compensation scheme and provide information about the help and support available to claimants.

In addition, the IBCA has published information about the help and support available to claimants, including psychological and bereavement support.

This includes free legal advice from independent legal companies. Legal support paid for by the IBCA can be used to help confirm that compensation has been calculated correctly, and to challenge a compensation offer that may be incorrect.

Where can people find out more information?

The IBCA website provides a range of information for people who are making a claim, or considering making a claim in the future.

The IBCA posts regular updates about the scheme on its website. Anyone can sign up to receive its regular community newsletters by email.

The Library briefing Infected Blood Inquiry: compensation provides more information about the creation of the compensation scheme and the regulations that underpin it. Another Library briefing, Infected Blood Inquiry: recommendations for recognition, healthcare and patient safety, provides information on the inquiry’s other recommendations.

The Infected Blood Inquiry reports are available on its website.