Will the Minister provide a breakdown of the Welsh Infected Blood Support Scheme's yearly budget since 2017, as well as the number of applications, acceptances, rejections and a breakdown for the highest and lowest awarded grants by year?
The Welsh Infected Blood Support Scheme (WIBBS) Small Grants Scheme provides additional support to scheme members in times of need. The scheme is independently run and managed on behalf of the Welsh Government by WIBBS.
The Welsh Government reimburses WIBSS for payments made through the Small Grants Scheme. There is no specific budget allocation. The Welsh Government does not hold details of applications, acceptances and rejections or a breakdown of awards.
Each application is considered on its merits and the figures attached within Annex A are indicative of maximum awards only. Alternative local authority or health board funding streams are considered where appropriate. WIBSS offers free welfare assistance to support completion of the grant application.
Annex A provides a breakdown of the Small Grants Scheme Criteria.
|
Item Description |
Indicative Maximum Amount |
Example Expenditure |
|
Large Household Items |
£1000 |
White goods / specialist beds / mattresses / seating |
|
Mobility Aids |
£1500 |
Mobility Scooter / Wheelchair |
|
Low Value Household Adaptions |
£1000 |
Grab Rails / Ramp Access |
|
Respite Care |
£750 |
Additional £700 if carer required |
|
High Value Household Adaptions |
£5000 |
Widening of door frames for wheelchair access |
|
Energy Efficiency |
£3500 |
Replacement boilers / windows |
|
Vehicle Repairs/ Car Adaptions |
£750 |
One off car repairs |
|
Education / Training |
£250 |
Course Fees |
|
Health |
£600 |
Dentistry, Chiropractor, Physiotherapy |
|
Costs of Care at Home |
£5000 |
One off application |
|
Income Assistance whilst off work temporarily |
£2000 |
If retain employment but unable to work due to ill health |
|
Ø Each application will be considered on its merits and the above figures are indicative of maximum awards only. Ø Alternative streams of funding will be considered where appropriate, such as local authority or local health boards. Ø We offer free welfare assistance to complete the grant application, please get in touch to arrange this. |
||
Annex B provides a breakdown of the Small Grants Scheme’s annual expenditure.
|
|
Total Small Grant Spend |
|
2017-18 |
£ 7,305.30 |
|
2018-19 |
£ 10,442.99 |
|
2019-20 |
£ 22,489.57 |
|
2020-21* |
£ 4,944.98 |
|
2021 - to date |
£ 9,598.00 |
Claims are received on an ad-hoc basis and differ from year to year. It is possible the lower total claim amount in 2021-21 may be as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and beneficiaries not wishing to have trades people in their homes.