The government’s NHS and Social Care Coronavirus Life Assurance Scheme has paid out more than £31m to the families of more than 500 Covid-19 victims who worked in the healthcare sector.
So far 84% of applicants to the scheme in England and Wales have received the £60,000 payment, according to figures released by the Department of Health and Social Care.
As of 21 July 2021, there have been 622 claims to the scheme since the pandemic began with 521 successful.
Only eight cases have been rejected while the remaining 93 are under consideration, according to care minister Helen Whatley.
Replying to a written question, Whatley noted that in 2020 there were 280 claims made with 242 successful, while 342 had been submitted in 2021 up to 21 July, with 279 approved.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) more than 1,500 health and care workers died as a result of Covid-19 by May 2021.
The ONS said 639 healthcare workers and 922 social care workers in England aged 20 to 64 years old had been victims of the pandemic.
The life assurance scheme was put in place to cover staff who provide hands-on personal care for people who have contracted coronavirus or who work in health or social care settings where the virus is present.
It was launched in April 2020 during the first national lockdown with separate versions added in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The scheme is independent of the NHS Pensions scheme and the official website says any lump sum or pension benefits payable to relatives or dependents of NHS Pensions scheme members will continue to be processed and paid as before.