Debt
Living with HIV, haemophilia and Hep C doesn't come cheap and most of you will have had money worries at some time. Together with fickle DWP benefit decisions and ill health making full time work near impossible for many beneficiaries budgeting with an inconsistent cash flow can be a real strain on an already difficult situation.

Debt is a very real problem for many beneficiaries, and all too quickly it can spiral out of control. If you are in difficulty the first thing you must do is ask for help. Unfortunately this is unlikely to result in someone writing off all of your debts, but they may well be able to offer advice, or represent you to any creditors and help negotiate reduced rates or extend loan periods.

Life Insurance
Beneficiaries will be well aware that life insurance for the co-infected community is impossible to purchase, and is near impossible at affordable rates for the mono-infected community. Unfortunately this situation does not appear to be changing any time soon. The Macfarlane Trust has made representations to the Government on this issue, and there are ongoing campaigns by private individuals and groups to try and force the Government to implement the recommendations of the Archer Report, one of which was that the Government should underwrite any life insurance claim for victims of contaminated blood.

Travel
Travel insurance has over the last few years become much more readily available and affordable for HIV / Hep C infected people. There are now several companies offering cover, most of which do not require a medical. Curiously, Haemophilia appears to be causing more of a problem with regard to availability and cost of travel insurance now than HIV and Hep C, although prices are reducing over time.

Mortgages
Mortgages are still difficult but not impossible for beneficiaries to obtain. Oddly the issue restricting mortgage approval does not seem to be life expectancy but more that for many beneficiaries a significant portion of their income is from state benefits, and that some lenders require borrowers to take out life insurance with the mortgage. Similarly to the general population, however, lending has been restricted and for first-time buyers a large deposit is necessary to obtain a mortgage, however we understand that gaining this level of deposit may provide more of a challenge to MFT beneficiaries than to the general population. We are available to assist with help, advice and referrals where possible.

The Trust can provide referrals to independent financial advisors who can help broker a mortgage deal.