Who can join the scheme and how to apply

You can apply to join EIBSS if you were infected with hepatitis C as a result of treatment with NHS blood, blood products or tissue prior to September 1991. 

If you were infected with hepatitis C by someone who was infected through treatment with NHS blood, blood products or tissue prior to September 1991 you can also apply for this payment.

If your condition has worsened you may be able to apply for further payments. 

You can apply for Special Category Mechanism (SCM) payments if you have hepatitis C stage 1 and your condition has worsened but is not stage 2.

SCM recognises the impact of your infection and linked conditions and the effects of treatment.

You can apply for hepatitis C stage 2 payments if you have hepatitis stage 1 payments and meet the advanced hepatitis C stage 2 criteria.

You can apply to join EIBSS if you were infected with HIV as a result of treatment with NHS blood, blood products or tissue prior to October 1985. 

If you were infected with HIV by someone who was infected through treatment with NHS blood, blood products or tissue prior to October 1985 you can also apply for this payment.

The scheme provides support to spouses, civil partners and long-term partners of a deceased beneficiary.

If the person with stage 1 or stage 2 hepatitis C or HIV died before applying to join the scheme, support is available.