# Infected Blood Claimants Struggle to Prove Eligibility

> Claimants face decades-old record hunts to prove infected blood compensation eligibility despite inquiry recommendations.
- Title: Infected Blood Claimants Struggle to Prove Eligibility
- Summary: Claimants face decades-old record hunts to prove infected blood compensation eligibility despite inquiry recommendations. Infected blood victims and families…
- Keywords: infected blood compensation, hepatitis c, ibca, haemophilia, medical records, compensation claims, blood transfusion, hepatitis c trust, haemophilia society, infected blood scandal, news, world
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/sep/21/infected-blood-victims-and-relatives-struggle-to-claim-compensation
- Published: 2026-09-21T11:48:35+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: infected blood compensation, hepatitis c, ibca, haemophilia, medical records, compensation claims, blood transfusion, hepatitis c trust, haemophilia society, infected blood scandal, news, world
## Suzanne Morgan's mother
Suzanne Morgan's mother Marie Jupe died after a routine blood transfusion contracted hepatitis C.

> I went into full-blown miscarriage. I was in total shock. I was hysterical.
## 35 years later
Morgan now faces proving eligibility for compensation despite inquiry's 'balance of probability' recommendation.

> I have been everywhere to try and get medical notes of any sort. I cannot get them.
## Hepatitis C Trust chief
Rachel Halford says claimants face intolerable burden after decades of injustice.

> People feel they are being treated as potential fraudsters rather than victims of one of the greatest scandals in our history
## Bureaucratic demands
Claimants must show school records, tenancy agreements, utility bills or family photos to prove basic eligibility.

> They have been asked to prove even the most basic of things
## Haemophilia Society
Two years since IBCA inception, only 15% of compensation claims processed.

> The Haemophilia Society is calling for regulatory change to shift burden of evidence from applicants to the state
## Compensation shortfall
Luke O'Shea Phillips estimates £1m shortfall due to inability to prove liver damage from infected blood.

> My infection is my life, and it’s unrecognised in every way
## Medical records destroyed
Andrew Whittaker's medical records destroyed when hospital merged, complicating compensation claims.

> It’s 31 years since he died and it brought it all back again
## IBCA response
IBCA says missing records won't prevent claims and will determine most likely from all available evidence.

> We will determine what is most likely from all available evidence
## Government response
Government says it will make changes to ensure victims receive compensation they deserve.

> The government has listened and learned through constant engagement with the community
## Compensation challenges
Claimants face 'tick box' approach with eligibility criteria designed to minimise compensation payouts.

> The Cabinet Office is completely controlling the Infected Blood Compensation Authority scheme
## Key takeaway

Infected blood victims and families must prove eligibility for compensation using old medical records despite public inquiry's 'balance of probability' standard.