Coronavirus Isolation Payments

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When it comes to Covid-19, we all know that ensuring infected individuals and their close contacts isolate is one of our most powerful tools for controlling transmission. 

We know that someone with the virus can remain infectious to other people for up to 10 days after developing symptoms. It can take up to 14 days for individuals to develop coronavirus symptoms after they catch the virus, and in this time, they can unknowingly pass it on to others, even if they don’t have symptoms.  Self-isolating helps prevent family, friends and the community from contracting coronavirus, as well as helping to protect the health and care system.

However, we also know that the need to self-isolate can cause financial pressures for those on low incomes and the self employed. As a result of this the Government is providing a new Test and Trace Support Payment of a £500 lump sum payment for those on low incomes to support them if they cannot work during their self-isolation period. 

To be eligible for the Test and Trace Support Payment, you must: 

  • have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace either because  you have tested positive for coronavirus or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive; 
  • be employed or self-employed; 
  • be unable to work from home and will lose income as a result; and 
  • be currently receiving 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 have responded to a message from NHS Test and Trace and provided any legally required information, such as details of close contacts;

For Isolation periods from the 16th August – You have been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace or the NHS COVID-19 app because you have tested positive for COVID 19. Or you have been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace or the NHS COVID-19 app because you are a close contact of someone who has tested positive, and are not exempt from self-isolation/not fully vaccinated. 

Test and Trace Support Discretionary payments, will be for individuals who are told to self-isolate on or after 28 September 2020 and who meet the relevant eligibility criteria, as follows:

  • Are not currently receiving 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 on low incomes and will face financial hardship as a result of not being able to work while they are self-isolating

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.

These payments will be subject to income tax. They will not be subject to National Insurance contributions.

You will be able to make an application to your local Council from the 12 October 2020. Individuals who are required to self-isolate from 28 September will be able to apply and request that the payment be backdated to 28 September 2020.  This is the date that the Government is introducing the Test and Trace Support Payment.  No claim can be backdated beyond the 28 September 2020.

You must have been advised on or after 28 September 2020 to isolate in order to be eligible for the payment.

  • A notification from NHS Test and Trace asking them to self-isolate (this will include a Unique ID number)
  • A bank statement
  • Proof of employment, or, if they are self-employed, evidence of self-assessment returns, trading income and proof that their business delivers services which cannot be undertaken without social contact
  • Proof of receipt of one of the following benefits
    • Universal Credit
    • Working Tax Credit
    • Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
    • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
    • Income Support
    • Housing Benefit 
    • Pension Credit

If applying due to a child/young person self-isolating:

  • the child’s eight-digit NHS Test and Trace ID number, or
  • evidence of the young person’s NHS COVID-19 App/NHS Test and Trace  notification telling them to self-isolate AND evidence that the young person has an Education, Health and Care Plan. This is for parents or guardians of young people aged under 25 who have additional support needs and who have been notified to self-isolate by the NHS COVID-19 App/NHS Test and Trace.

The scheme will end on 31 March 2022.

Some individuals could be asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace more than once.

Someone can claim more than once (if they are told to self-isolate multiple times), as long as they meet the eligibility criteria for each individual claim and their periods of self-isolation do not overlap.

Within 3 working days of the final piece of evidence being verified by our team.

People in the same household can each make an individual application to receive the payment, if they each meet the eligibility criteria.

For isolation periods between the 8 March 2021 and the 15 August 2021, applicants must meet all the criteria listed below.

Parents and guardians who are not legally required to self-isolate can make one application per household for the child or young person’s self-isolation period.

  • You are the parent or guardian of a child or young person in the same household and need to take time off work to care for them while they self-isolate. This is limited to one parent or guardian per household for the child or young person’s self-isolation period.
  • You are employed or self-employed.
  • You cannot work from home while undertaking caring responsibilities and will lose income as a result.
  • You meet all the other means-tested eligibility criteria for a Test and Trace Support Payment or locally determined criteria for a discretionary payment.
    • Your child or young person is aged 15 or under (or 25 or under with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHC)) and normally attends an education or childcare setting.
    • has been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace or by their education or childcare setting because they have been identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Applicants must meet all the criteria below, from 16th August 2021. 

Parents and guardians who are not legally required to self-isolate can make one application per household for the young person’s self-isolation period.

  • You are the parent or guardian (including those fully vaccinated) of a young person in the same household and need to take time off work to care for them while they self-isolate. This is limited to one parent or guardian per household for the young person’s self-isolation period.
  • You are employed or self-employed.
  • You cannot work from home while undertaking caring responsibilities and will lose income as a result.You meet all the other means-tested eligibility criteria for a Test and Trace Support Payment or locally determined criteria for a discretionary payment.
  • The young person:
    • Has tested positive for COVID-19 and is aged 15 or under, or aged 25 or under with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan; or
    • Has been identified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19 (BY NHS Test and Trace,  or the NHS COVID-19 app), is aged 25 and under, is not fully vaccinated/not exempt from self-isolation and has an EHC Plan

You must apply within 42 days from the start of your self-isolation period.

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