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 and:

  • 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 section 103 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 and the Social Security (General Benefit) Regulations 1982.

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:

  • nosebleeds
  • shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)
  • headaches
  • backache
  • other minor side effects normally associated with being vaccinated

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
  • submit your claim without having to download and print 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.

Other ways to make a claim

If you are unable to complete your claim online, you can download and complete a Vaccine Damage Payment claim form. There are 3 versions of the form that you can use. The form you need depends on if you’re applying on behalf of yourself or someone else:

Claim form for claiming on your own behalf (PDF: 250KB)Claim form for claiming on behalf of someone else (PDF: 267KB)Claim form for claiming on behalf of someone who has died (PDF: 260KB)

If completing a paper form, send it to us at the postal address or email address printed on the form.

Forms in an accessible format

The claim forms may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. To request a form in an accessible format, email us at vdps@nhsbsa.nhs.uk.

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

Information you need to apply

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

  • a full list and contact information for all NHS healthcare providers who have been involved in any care or treatment before and after the vaccine
  • a full list and contact information for all private healthcare providers, mental health services and other providers who have been involved in any care or treatment before and after the vaccine
  • 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 

You must provide as much detail as possible. For example, you should tell us about the condition you believe has been caused by the vaccine. 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. 

Documents you need to apply on someone else’s behalf

If you’re applying for a Vaccine Damage Payment on behalf of someone else, you need to send us a document that shows you have the authority to make a claim. The document(s) 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:

  • letters of administration
  • last will and testament
  • grant of probate
  • deed of trust

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 disabled person’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:

  • property and financial affairs lasting power of attorney
  • property and financial affairs court order (deputyship)

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.

How to send us your document(s)

If you’re making your claim online, you’ll be given the option to upload your document(s).

If you’re using the downloadable claim form, you need to email your document(s) to vdps@nhsbsa.nhs.uk.

We are unable to process your claim without the relevant document(s).

How your claim will be assessed

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

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

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

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 the government

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:

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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