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Coronavirus – information for people receiving direct payments

COVID-19 vaccinations for personal assistants

Personal assistants can book their vaccination online or call 119. For more information, see:  Vaccinations for personal assistants.

After having the vaccine, they should continue to use personal protective equipment. 

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

The government is providing free PPE to people who receive direct payments and personal assistants during COVID-19. 

  • If you employ a personal assistant and order PPE for them, you can register for the PPE portal. 
  • If your PA is self-employed, they will need to sign up themselves.

How to register

To register for the PPE portal phone 0800 876 6802 between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday or email ppeportal.queries@unipart.com

Orders should be placed once a month. There are order limits, but you can ask for these to be adjusted.

Advice on using the portal

The government has published guidance on how to use the PPE portal.

If you have any issues, phone the customer service team on: 0800 876 6802.

Contingency planning

Everyone who receives a direct payment should develop a care contingency plan. This is a plan to make sure your care needs would be met if your current care arrangement broke down, for example, if your personal assistant or care provider needed to self-isolate.

The Direct payments factsheet gives advice on how to do this.

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