UPDATE
With effect from 1 April 2025, the Wales Infected Blood Support Scheme (WIBSS) is now closed to new applications for anyone who has historically been infected with hepatitis C, HIV or both, from NHS blood or blood products.
Newly bereaved partners in cases where the infected person was already a scheme member, and died between 1 January 2025 and 31 March 2025, can apply to the WIBSS up to 3 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 should apply directly to the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) who are responsible for any compensation payments. You can visit their latest updates on their website.
Interim Estates Payment
Applications for interim payments to estates continue to remain open and guidance on how to apply, the eligibility criteria, and the application process is available at: www.gov.uk/infected-blood-compensation-estates.
Please click here for Infected Blood Compensation Authority information
Clarification on tax implications of interest earned on the investment of payments and action required
Since 1988, successive governments have set up various schemes to provide financial support to individuals infected with Hepatitis C, HIV or both through NHS treatment with contaminated blood products. The longstanding position has been that such ex gratia payments should be exempt from tax.
Following the introduction of new schemes, legislation was introduced in 2017 to ensure that periodical payments to beneficiaries from those schemes were exempt from income tax, in the same way as periodical payments from existing schemes.
The exemption only extends to the periodical payments or annuities in respect of the damages. Any return from investing those sums is not exempted. Once any money received from compensation is invested any interest received on that investment will be taxable in the normal way and should be declared in tax returns and self-assessments. Independent financial advice should be sought as previously advertised.
Wales Infected Blood Support Scheme – WIBSS
Established in October 2017, the Wales Infected Blood Support Scheme (WIBSS) aims to provide support to people who have been infected with Hepatitis C and/or HIV as a result of NHS treatment with blood, blood products or tissue in Wales.
WIBSS has taken over from the UK previous schemes (Eileen Trust, Macfarlane Trust, MFET Ltd, Skipton Fund and Caxton Foundation) and aims to provide both a streamlined financial payment service, a Welfare Advice Service and a Psychology and Well-being service for Welsh beneficiaries and their families.
Welsh Government provide Directions and Regulations that WIBSS follow, all Directions and Regulation amendments can be found here.
Welsh Government has notified WIBSS of the revised rates for 2025-2026. This rate will be applicable from 1st April 2025. To see the revised rates, please click here.
Please click the link to access the current Customer Satisfaction Survey Report for WIBSS.