VICTIMS’ PAYMENTS BOARD: NOTICE OF LAST DATE TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS
IMPORTANT NOTICE: In accordance with the Victims’ Payment Regulations 2020, the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme will close for applications on 30 August 2026. If you wish to make an application, you should do so via our online portal. You may also wish to avail of the services of the Sectoral Support Groups, details of which can be found here.
VPB Application Closing date: Guidance for Applicants & Welfare Groups can be found here
The Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme
The Victims’ Payments Board was established in February 2021. The Board is headed by a President appointed by the Lord Chief Justice, and will consist of a number of members including legal, medical and ordinary members. The purpose of the Board is to determine applications under the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme (also referred to as the Victims’ Payments Scheme). Members will also have responsibility as members of the Victims’ Payments Board to assist the President with corporate governance responsibilities such as policy development, financial and risk management.
Applicants to the Scheme are reminded that it is not necessary to seek additional information from Health Trusts, GPs, Police, PRONI, etc in support of their application – this is because the Victims’ Payments Board has arrangements in place to formally request this information, as required. We will however require the basic details requested on the application form to include incident date, location and description.
If you require support or financial advice during any stage of your application please visit the Support Services page for information on the organisations that can offer assistance.
When submitting an application to the Scheme, applicants should only include supporting information they currently hold.
Please be advised that members of the Victims’ Payments Board (VPB) Administration team, may be required to contact you by phone throughout the application process.
Calls from VPB will be from a withheld number and staff will always ask a minimum of 3 security questions, to ensure they are speaking with the right person. This includes, address, postcode and date of birth.
If you are concerned that the caller may not be from the Victims’ Payments Board, please always ask that they confirm your VPB No. to enable you to identify the call is legitimate.
These videos will help you understand how an application progresses through our process and will help with any questions that you may have. Am I Entitled to Apply? Making an Application Making a Posthumous Application Assessment of Disablement - what to expect Consideration by a VPB panel
Victims’ Payments Board Update following Judicial Review judgement
Following the judgement of Scoffield J in The Matter of an Application by Peter McCabe and Jeanitta McCabe for Judicial Review [2026] NIKB 24 delivered on 27 May 2026, the VPB are currently conducting an exercise to identify previous determinations that may be impacted by the Judicial Review judgement. In relation to those applications which are identified, VPB will write to the applicant to inform them that the Board will consider whether the statutory test for a review under Regulation 43 of the Victims Payments Regulations 2020 is met. The applicant will also be invited to provide any additional information for the Board’s consideration.
For those cases that meet this statutory test, a review of the determination will be carried out by a Review Panel, and the applicant will be advised of their decision.
For those cases which do not meet the statutory test for a review, the applicant will be advised accordingly.
The VPB can also confirm that Appeal cases that had been paused awaiting the Judgement will now proceed. Appellants are invited to provide any additional evidence they wish to be considered by the Appeal Panel.
If you have had a previous determination made on an application and you consider it may be impacted by this judgement, please do not hesitate to contact VPB:
By email: vpb@justice-ni.gov.uk
By post:
PO Box 2305
Belfast
BT1 9AX
Phone: 0300 200 7808 The updated Information Note relating to this can be found at Information Note 24 June 2026_.pdf
