Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps are being taken to remove the need for bank statements to be submitted in support of discretionary grant applications with the England Infected Blood Support Scheme.

The discretionary payments scheme, part of the England Infected Blood Support Scheme administered by NHS Business Services Authority (NHS BSA), and the criteria under which these payments are made is currently being reviewed.

As was required under the former infected blood payment schemes, the criteria for some discretionary payments may be linked to an individual’s income. One way a beneficiary could demonstrate their income is through the submission of bank statements, although NHS BSA is considering with beneficiaries other possible options as part of the review process.

NHS BSA will try to keep additional information requests to support claims to a minimum.