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Who can join the scheme and how to apply

The England Infected Blood Support Scheme (EIBSS) supports people historically infected with hepatitis C and/or HIV from blood or blood products. We also help families, civil or long-term partners after the death of someone infected. 

Support is available for: 

  • people historically infected with hepatitis C and/or HIV from NHS blood or blood products 
  • families, civil or long-term partners after the death of someone infected

Who can apply to join the scheme 

People infected with hepatitis C - stage 1 payments

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. 

Special Category Mechanism (SCM) payment for hepatitis C stage 1

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.

People infected with hepatitis C - stage 2 payments

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.

People infected with HIV

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

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

Partners of a deceased beneficiary 

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

Estates of people who died before joining the scheme

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