Chris Seeks Disability Thresholds For Vaccine Damage Victims
Christopher Chope Conservative, Christchurch
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason 60 per cent disability has to be established to qualify for any payment under the Vaccine Damage Payment Act 1979; and whether he will make it his policy to bring the Act into line with the disability thresholds within the England Infected Blood Support Scheme.
Maria Caulfield The Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health and Social Care, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
The 60% disablement threshold used for the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS) is aligned to the definition of ‘severe disablement’ as per the Department for Work and Pensions’ Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit. This is a widely accepted test of disability. In the case that an individual’s application is turned down on the basis of disability threshold, there is also the option for claimants to appeal the decision and provide additional evidence. There are no plans to align the disablement threshold for the VDPS with the England Infected Blood Support Scheme.
- ENDS - #167993
