Throughout Covid19 you may be asked to self-isolate and work from home. However, we are aware that some people will struggle to work from home; here's how to see whether you are eligible for the Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme and how to apply.
Eligibility
The first step to recieving this payment scheme would be checking whether you're eligible for this support.
If you've been told to isolate on the 28th September or after then you could be eligible for this support payment as long as you live in England, and meet ALL the following criteria below:
- You have been told to stay at home and self isolate by the NHS Test and Trace or tested positive for Covid19, or have been in contact with some who has tested positive.
- You are employed or self employed
- You are unable to work from home, or you will lose income by doing so
- You are currently receiving at least ONE of the following:
-
- Universal Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income Support
- Housing Benefit
- Pension Credit
Please note that receiving a notification from the NHS Covid19 app telling you to self isolate does NOT make you eligible to apply for the payment scheme. You MUST have a notification from NHS Test and Trace whether that be through email, text message or a letter.
However, if you don't meet the criteria of point 4, then you may still be eligible for a £500 Discretionary Payment. This is only if you meet points 1,2 and 3, and that you are at a low income that will put you in a financial hardship as a result of not being able to work whilst you are self-isolating.
How To Apply
When it comes to applying the process is easy and accessible for anyone online. Firstly you will need to search to find your local council application page which can be found on the GOV website.
Once you've done this, you will need to provide the following to your local authority:
- 8 digit code that would have been provided with your notification from the NHS Test and Trace system; this could have been through either email, text message, or a letter.
- Proof of the qualifying benefits (receipts) e.g Housing Benefit
- A bank statement
- Proof of employment
- If you're self employed you will need to provide evidence including:
- Evidence of self-assessment returns
- Trading income
- Proof that your business delivers services
Discretionary Payment
Discretionary Payments known as short term or one-off payments that are given to anyone experiencing an exceptional financial hardship. You can access these through your local council and the application process above.