Individuals who have been significantly affected by vaccinations could be entitled to a one-off tax-free sum. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) explains that £120,000 is available to people ‘severely disabled’ by certain vaccines under a Vaccine Damage Payment scheme.
This includes 19 different vaccines, such as COVID-19, mumps, measles, and whooping cough. Legal representation is not necessary to apply, and applications can be made on behalf of others in some instances.
“If you’re severely disabled as a result of a vaccination against certain diseases, you could get a one-off tax-free payment of £120,000,” the DWP explains. “Vaccine Damage Payments are not a compensation scheme. You can still take legal action to claim compensation, even if you get a Vaccine Damage Payment.”
To be considered ‘severely disabled’, a person must have a disability rating of at least 60%, based on a medically-approved ‘disablement’ scale ranging from one to 100%, with the latter being the most severe.
This rating covers both physical and mental health conditions and medical evidence from doctors or hospitals about the treatment received is necessary.
The DWP continues: “You may also be able to get a payment if you’re severely disabled because either your mother was vaccinated against one of the diseases in the list while she was pregnant [or] you’ve been in close physical contact with someone who’s had an oral vaccine against poliomyelitis.
“You can also apply for this payment on behalf of someone who has died after becoming severely disabled because of one of these vaccinations. You need to be managing their estate to apply.”
Typically, it is required that you were vaccinated before your 18th birthday unless the jab was administered during a disease outbreak in the UK or the Isle of Man, or it was against one of the following illnesses:
- Human papillomavirus
- Meningococcal group W before your 26th birthday
- Poliomyelitis
- Influenza
- Rubella
- Meningococcal group C
- Pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 (swine flu)
- Coronavirus (Covid)
The vaccination must have been received in the UK or the Isle of Man, unless you were vaccinated within an armed forces medical treatment facility. “You’ll get paid directly if you’re over 18 and can manage your own affairs,” the DWP explains.
“If you’re under 18 or you cannot manage your own affairs, the payment will be made to your trustees. If you live with your family, your parents may be appointed as trustees.
“All benefits, pensions and allowances are paid into an account – for example, your bank account.” To apply, individuals should visit the NHS Business Services Authority (NHS BSA) website to complete an online form.
You can also request a paper copy by emailing [email protected] or phoning 0300 330 0013. Phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 4:30pm.
The NHS BSA explains that you will need to ‘provide as much detail’ as possible to apply, asserting that it cannot access a patient’s medical history or records with just an NHS number alone. “For example, you should tell us about the condition you believe has been caused by the vaccine,” the authority states.
“If you do not provide us with information about your condition, we may need to contact you before we can progress your claim. We are not able to access a patient’s medical history, records, or a list of their healthcare providers using the patient’s NHS number alone.
“This means you must provide a full list of healthcare providers and their contact details as part of your application.”
