Exposure from washing a relative's clothes, living near a factory or self-employment all count, as long as it happened in the UK.
Quick facts
- Diagnosed at 37 or under
- £120,566
- Diagnosed at 60
- £56,656
- Diagnosed at 77 or over
- £18,733
- 2008 scheme deadline
- 12 months from diagnosis
- DMPS deadline
- 3 years from diagnosis
Two schemes
There are 2 types of payment you can claim for: diffuse mesothelioma payments (the ‘2008 scheme’) and the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme (DMPS).
You can claim DMPS if you cannot find the employer responsible for your contact with asbestos, or their insurer.
How much, under the 2008 scheme
The amount you’ll get depends on how old you were when your disease was diagnosed. For example, if you were 60 when your disease was diagnosed, and you qualify, you’ll get a payment of £56,656.
- 37 and under: £120,566
- 77 and over: £18,733
Who can claim the 2008 scheme
You can claim a one-off payment if you:
- are not entitled to a payment under the 1979 Pneumoconiosis Act
- have not been given a payment for the disease from an employer, a civil claim or elsewhere
- are not entitled to compensation from a Ministry of Defence scheme
You must have been exposed to asbestos in the United Kingdom.
Examples of exposure include coming into contact with asbestos from a relative, for instance by washing their clothes, or living near a factory using asbestos.
Deadlines
You must claim within 12 months of diagnosis.
Claims through the DMPS scheme must be made within 3 years of diagnosis.
You may be able to claim if you were the dependant of a sufferer who has died. You must claim within 12 months of their death.
Common questions
How much is the diffuse mesothelioma payment?
Under the 2008 scheme it depends on your age at diagnosis: £120,566 at 37 or under, £56,656 at 60, £18,733 at 77 or over.
What is the deadline?
12 months from diagnosis for the 2008 scheme, 3 years for the DMPS.
Does exposure from a relative's clothes count?
Yes, if the exposure happened in the UK.
Can family claim after a death?
Yes, a dependant may claim within 12 months of the death.