The Secretary of State, Hilary Benn, has today agreed to extend the deadline for eligible applicants to the Scheme to avail of backdated payments, to align with the Scheme closing date at the end of August 2026.
In light of concerns that some potential applicants could lose out on backdated payments, the Secretary of State has moved to ensure all potential beneficiaries of the scheme have sufficient time to consider making an application. VSS welcomes this decision and the recognition of the impact revisiting the past could have on victims and survivors.
This extension will ensure that anyone deemed eligible in the five-year lifespan of the scheme, will also be eligible for a payment backdated to 2014.
Further background on the decision to extend the deadline can be found here