Solicitor support for Probate applications – Infected Blood Compensation Scheme interim payment (£210,000)

On 21 July 2025, the UK Government announced a new interim compensation payment of £210,000 for the estate of anyone who sadly died after receiving contaminated blood or blood products from the NHS. This payment forms part of the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme, which recognises the devastating impact of the infected blood scandal.

If you are the executor or personal representative of someone who has passed away, you may be entitled to apply for this £210,000 interim payment on behalf of their estate.

However, you must have a Grant of Probate (or Confirmation in Scotland) before you can make the claim. This legal document confirms your authority to deal with the deceased person’s estate — and without it, the Government cannot release the payment.

Our experienced probate solicitors can help you obtain the Grant of Probate quickly and correctly.

Who can apply for the £210,000 Infected Blood Interim Payment?

You can apply for this payment if:

• You are the executor or administrator of an estate where the deceased person received contaminated blood or blood products from the NHS.
• The deceased was eligible for compensation under the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme.

Full government guidance can be found here: Infected Blood Inquiry – Government Response

What you’ll need to apply

When applications open, you’ll be required to provide:

1. A certified copy of the Grant of Probate (or Letters of Administration / Grant of Confirmation in Scotland)
2. Proof of identity (e.g. certified copy of your passport or driving licence)
3. Two proofs of address, such as a bank statement or utility bill from the last six months

Start your probate application now

As the probate process can take several months, we strongly recommend starting as soon as possible to avoid any delay in claiming the interim payment.

Our probate solicitors can:

• Prepare and submit your probate application efficiently
• Advise you on the documentation and forms required
• Liaise with HMCTS (the Probate Registry) on your behalf
• Ensure your application is accurate to prevent rejection or delays

If your claim is successful, you can recover your probate application fees and up to £1,500 in legal fees directly from the Government.

Learn more here: Claim Back Legal Costs

Tax and benefits considerations

 The Government has confirmed that:

• The £210,000 interim payment is exempt from Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax, and Income Tax.
• The payment is not included in benefit entitlement calculations, but must still be declared to the DWP or your local authority if you receive certain benefits.
• Any interest earned on the compensation payment may be considered income, so it’s advisable to keep the funds in a separate account.

Will this affect future compensation?

Receiving this interim payment will not affect your eligibility to apply for a final compensation award under the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme. The interim payment will simply be deducted from the final award once that is determined.

Importantly, you will not have to repay any of the £210,000, even if the final award is less than that amount.

How our probate solicitors can help

At Flint Bishop, our specialist probate and estates team has extensive experience assisting executors and families with probate applications.

In addition to the Grant application, we can guide you through every step, including:

• Preparing the necessary certified documents for the infected blood compensation claim
• Ensuring compliance with all government requirements
• Advising on distribution of compensation and any related estate matters
• Understanding the terms of the Will
• Administration of the estate

We understand this process can be emotional and complex — our team is here to provide clear, compassionate, and professional support throughout.