Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS)

Claim for a Vaccine Damage Payment

Check if your claim is eligible before you apply

To qualify for a Vaccine Damage Payment, it must be proved that:

  • an eligible vaccine was received
  • on the balance of probabilities, the vaccine caused the disability
  • the resulting disablement is severe

Severely disabled means at least 60% as defined by the principles for assessing the extent of disablement. These are set out in:

Find out more about eligibility, including a list of vaccines, from the GOV.UK Vaccine Damage Payment website.

Some examples of conditions that have met the criteria for a Vaccine Damage Payment are:

  • vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT)
  • Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS)
  • anaphylaxis

Some examples of conditions that have not met the criteria for a Vaccine Damage Payment are:

  • runny nose
  • minor headaches
  • backache
  • other minor side effects normally associated with being vaccinated

Claims for a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) are not eligible under the government’s rules for the scheme.

Information you need before you apply

We’ll progress your claim as quickly as possible. You can help us by providing information relevant to your claim, including:

  • the date the vaccine you believe caused the severe disability was administered - GPs can usually help you confirm dates
  • information about what happened after the vaccine was administered and the condition your claim is in relation to (if known)
  • a list of healthcare providers who were involved in any care for 10 years before the vaccine was given
  • a list of healthcare providers, including private healthcare providers, who have been involved in any recent care since the vaccination

You must provide as much detail as possible. If you do not provide us with information about the condition you're claiming for, we may need to contact you before we can progress your claim. 

We cannot use your NHS number alone, or that of anyone you are claiming for, to access medical history, records, or a list of your healthcare providers. This means you must provide a full list of healthcare providers and their contact details as part of your claim form.

How to apply

Make a claim online

You can make a claim online, which allows you to:

  • save your progress, meaning you can come back to complete your claim form within 14 days
  • upload documents and evidence to support your claim
  • upload documents that show you’re entitled to make a claim on behalf of someone else
  • submit your claim without having to post the form

Once we receive your claim, we’ll email you with a reference number unique to your claim. You'll need to quote this reference number when you contact us. If you do not receive an email within 10 working days of submitting your claim, email us at: vdps@nhsbsa.nhs.uk.

Request a paper claim form

If you are unable to complete your claim online, you can request a paper copy of the claim form by contacting us at:

Phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 4:30pm.

Find out about call charges

Tell us which of the following forms you require when you contact us:

  • Claim form for claiming on your own behalf.
  • Claim form for claiming on behalf of someone else.
  • Claim form for claiming on behalf of someone who has died.

Documents you need to apply on someone else’s behalf

If you’re claiming on behalf of someone else, you need to send us a document that shows you have the authority to make a claim. This is a legal requirement. The documents we need from you will depend on the circumstances of the person you’re applying for.

Applying on behalf of someone who has died

If you’re applying on behalf of someone who has died, you must provide their death certificate and a document that shows you manage their estate. This could be a copy of one of the following documents:

If you do not have one of these documents, we must receive one or more of the following documents:

  • deputyship
  • joint tenancy 
  • marriage certificate
  • joint bill

We may ask questions or request additional documents to prove you manage the individual’s estate.

If you're going to be charged a fee to get any of these documents, contact us to discuss which other documents we can accept before you pay.

Applying on behalf of someone under 16

If you’re applying on behalf of someone under 16, you must send us a copy of the vaccinated person’s birth certificate to show you’re their parent or legal guardian. 

We may ask questions or request additional documents to prove you are the child’s parent or guardian.

Applying on behalf of someone who is unable to manage their own affairs

If you’re applying on behalf of someone who is unable to manage their own affairs, you must provide a document that shows you manage their affairs. This could be a copy of one of the following documents:

If you do not have one of these documents, we must receive one or more of the following documents:

  • joint tenancy 
  • marriage certificate
  • joint bill

We may ask additional questions or request additional documents to prove you are acting on behalf of the disabled person.  

If you're going to be charged a fee to get any of these documents, contact us to discuss which other documents we can accept before you pay.

Help with making a claim

If you need help to make a claim, you can contact us by:

Phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 4:30pm.

Find out about call charges

How your claim will be assessed

You can find further information on how claims are considered by a medical assessor on the VDPS claim process page.

If you receive benefits and you live in Northern Ireland or the Isle of Man

A Vaccine Damage Payment can affect your benefits and entitlements if you live in Northern Ireland or the Isle of Man.

If you receive benefits and your claim is successful, you must tell the office that deals with your benefit or tax credit claim. You can get contact details from letters they have sent you.

Wellbeing support

If you need support with your mental health, you can contact:

Other help you can get from your governments

You might be entitled to benefits. Check if you’re eligible by visiting:

  • GOV.UK if you’re in England or Wales
  • mygov.scot if you’re in Scotland
  • nidirect if you’re in Northern Ireland
  • gov.im if you’re in the Isle of Man

If you need advice about your entitlement to benefits, help is available from the Citizens Advice service for your region:

Contact us

If you need help with the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme, contact us by:

Phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 4:30pm.

Find out about call charges

You can also write to us at:

NHS Business Services Authority
Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme
Unit 5 Greenfinch Way
Newburn Industrial Estate
Newburn
NE15 8NX

Privacy notice

The VDPS privacy notice explains how the Department of Health and Social Care and the NHS Business Services Authority securely store data of those claiming a vaccine damage payment.

The data is used to process a claim and support the administration of the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme.

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