People on low incomes who have had to self-isolate and have been unable to work due to Coronavirus may be eligible for a £500 payment
The Government has introduced a Test and Trace Support Payment scheme to support people on low incomes if they can't work during their self-isolation period.
As part of the scheme, eligible people will receive a £500 lump sum payment.
Self-isolating is very important as it helps prevent family, friends and the community from contracting coronavirus. It also protects the health and care system.
This scheme will run until 31 March 2022.
More information is available on the gov.uk website.
You are eligible for the Test and Trace Support payment if you meet all of the following eligibility criteria:
From 16 August 2021, parents or guardians who are not legally required to self-isolate can apply for a Self-Isolation Payment if they need to take time off work to care for a child or young person who is self-isolating.
Applications can be made if your child has tested positive or your child is aged between 18 and 25 and has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHC) and is a close contact of someone who has tested positive.
You can only make one application per child or young person per household.
To qualify for this payment, you must:
In addition to this you must satisfy the following requirements:
Individuals who are required to self-isolate and who meet the eligibility criteria will be entitled to £500. This will be payable as a lump sum.
Payments are subject to income tax but not National Insurance contributions.
Apply for Test and Trace Support Payment
You are entitled to the payment if you meet the eligibility criteria and have been asked to self-isolate on or after 28 September 2020.
When completing your application form you will need to submit the following evidence:
Local residents required to self isolate but who do not fulfil all the requirements of the Test and Trace payment scheme may be able to get other support.
You may be eligible for the £500 discretionary payment if you meet all the other criteria above, but:
you do not currently receive Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, income-based Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit and/or Pension Credit; and are employed or self-employed; and
you face financial hardship as a result of not being able to work while you are self-isolating
This application is for one person only and any further applications within the same household must be made by each individual. Any claim must be made within 42 days from the first day of your NHS test and trace self-isolation period.
Apply for Discretionary Payment
When completing your application form you will need to submit the following evidence:
For both the Test and Trace Support Payment and discretionary payments, eligible individuals will receive their £500 payment on top of any benefits and Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) that they currently receive.
If an individual is not successful for either the Test and Trace Support Payment or the Discretionary fund there is no right of appeal
If you apply for a Test and Trace Support payment but are unsuccessful you may also be considered for a Covid 19 hardship payment.
If you have been contacted by NHS test and trace and told to self-isolate but are not eligible for a £500 support payment as you do not meet the other criteria, you could receive a hardship payment of up to £500.
Hardship payments are based on the needs of each individual case and are intended to help cover a loss of income or additional expenses that you are unable to meet yourself, for example accommodation costs or increased costs of providing care to someone.
If you don't meet the eligibility criteria, there may be other discretionary hardship funds that could help you. Please call our Coronavirus Community Hub on 01354 654321 for more information.
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