The Government has announced a new financial package to support and enforce self-isolation. In some circumstances, if you are required by law to self-isolate from Monday 28 September you may be supported by a payment of £500, payable from Wyre Forest District Council.
They are working to get their application form for the ‘Test and Trace Support’ payment scheme live as soon as possible. This will be available for those people who are legally required to self-isolate. To be eligible for the £500 one-off payment you need to meet all of the following criteria:
- have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace
- are employed or self-employed
- cannot work from home and will lose income as a result
- claiming at least one qualifying benefit
- your self-isolation started on or after Monday 28 September.
The qualifying benefits are: universal credit, working tax credit, income-related employment and support allowance, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income support, pension credit or housing benefit. Please note our Council Tax reduction scheme is not included in the list of qualifying benefits.
The application scheme will be up and running by Monday 12 October. If you start to self-isolate from today (Monday 28 September) and meet the above criteria, you will be able to receive backdated payments.
Who can get the Test and Trace Support Payment?
To get the Test and Trace Support Payment, you must be:
- asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace either because they’ve tested positive for coronavirus or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive
- employed or self-employed
- unable to work from home and will lose income as a result and
- 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
How much is the payment?
You may be supported by a lump sum payment of £500
Will this payment be taxed?
This payment will be subject to income tax. It will not be subject to National Insurance contributions.
How long will this be in place for?
The scheme will run until 31 January 2021.
When will this come into force?
These changes will come into effect on Monday 28 September 2020, alongside the legal duty to self-isolate. They expect to have their systems in place by 12 October; individuals who are eligible prior to that date will be able to make a backdated claim.