VACCINE DAMAGE PAYMENT SCHEME – change in law with big impact for the vaccine injured and bereaved.
Soon after the first awards of the Vaccine Damage Payment were made to those injured or bereaved by a Covid19 vaccine, Vaccine Injured Bereaved UK (VIBUK) were made aware of individuals having their Universal Credit ended or suspended due to having excess capital. This meant those who were most financially challenged had to live off the award that they had received. This seemed totally wrong and unfair, throwing those affected into even more financial insecurity.
Believing this was erroneous members of VIBUK set about contacting their MP’s about the issue.
Fortunately, one MP who responded was Aaron Bell. With his help, VIBUK have secured a small change to the law on this issue, which will have a big impact for the affected injured and bereaved. With effect from 9th July 2023 the Department for Works and Pensions has legislated to introduce an unconditional disregard of means tested benefits for recipients of the Vaccine Damage Payment.
This has also been extended to include the partners of individuals who are bereaved due a vaccine.
The implications are great for those who are most financially challenged due to a severe injury, or who are the partners of those who sadly died because of a vaccine.
Prior to the change, a partner would have had their means tested benefit discontinued as soon as the payment was received. Appearing to some as giving help in one hand, then taking it back in the other. Thanks to Mr Bell and the campaigning of VIBUK members, this will no longer be the case. The payment will now be disregarded for assessing new claims from 9th July 2023. Unfortunately, the legislation is not retrospective, so no claims will be backdated prior to this date.
Sheila Ward, a member of campaigning group VIBUK, explained:
“This is an important victory for those bereaved as a result of vaccination who are receiving means-tested benefits. If we had not pushed for this change in law, those grieving the loss of a loved one would have been rendered even more financially vulnerable by the fact of receiving a VDPS payment. That made no sense, hence our campaign for reform. We are pleased that the Government has come to its senses on this point”.
Conservative MP Mr Aaron Bell, said he was:
“Absolutely delighted to have convinced the government to make the change”.
He told BBC Radio Stoke it was “morally imperative”, that authorities stood by those who had been affected.
“Those very few people who were damaged by the vaccine, it’s right that we do everything that we can,” he said.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-66187531
The previous rules also required a vaccine injured person who had received the payment to set up a personal injury trust after 12 months to avoid losing their means tested benefits. This could cost as much as £720. This at a time when the person has reduced income and was coming to term with their new circumstances.
The change in the law now means requirement to set up a personal injury trust and the expense of doing so has been removed from 9th July 2023.
The change in law is a significant victory for VIBUK, but there is still more work to do to improve the Vaccine Damage Payment Act, so that it is fit for purpose. VIBUK will continue to campaign for further improvements, including changes to the time it takes for claims to be assessed, improvements in the criteria of the scheme, the level of award and a better care pathway.
