New applicants have only six months left to submit a claim to The Troubles disability scheme.
Former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Peter Hain —now Lord Hain of Neath—has urged anyone who was severely and permanently injured through no fault of their own as a result of the Troubles but who has yet to apply to the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme (TPDPS) ,often referred to as the ‘Injured Pension’, to do so before the scheme closes to receive applications in August this year.
Lord Hain worked closely with the WAVE Injured Group which drove the campaign for recognition of the severely injured and it was his amendment to the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation ) Bill 2019 that required the then Government to make provision for special payments to those eligible to qualify.
The scheme is run by the Victims’ Payments Board headed by Senior High Court Judge, Justice McAlinden.
To date over £120 million has been paid to victims with payments ranging from £2,494 to £12,471 per annum.
Lord Hain said: “The campaign lead by the WAVE Injured Group to establish this scheme was hugely impressive and I was more than pleased to play my part at Westminster to see it through to success.
"The scheme is due to end for new applicants in August this year and I would urge anyone who comes within its remit to apply without delay or indeed if anyone knows someone who may be eligible to encourage them to apply.
"There may be those, especially in Great Britain, who don’t yet know about the scheme and it’s important that the message gets out that it exists and for those who qualify it is truly life changing”.
Lord Hain went on to highlight that it is not only civilians who were severely and permanently injured through no fault of their own, but former service personnel may also qualify.
Lord Hain continued: “There may be an assumption that for some reason service personnel injured in the line of duty for example would not be included in the scheme but this is not always the case.
"If they have already received payment by way of compensation that would of course be deducted form any assessment made under this scheme: no one would expect a double payment. But if the original payment was less than would be awarded under this scheme the difference may be made up.
"But crucially those closest to a claimant, for example a spouse or a carer, could also potentially benefit.
"The message has to be: ‘Apply to the Scheme now’ and certainly before the end of August 2026, if you think you might be eligible’.
"This life changing scheme was hard won. It would be a shame if anyone who could be eligible were to miss out”.
More information on the scheme and application process can be found at The Victims Payment. Board website: www.victimspaymentsboard.org.uk
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