The Test and Trace Support payment of £500 will ensure those on low incomes can self isolate without having to worry about their finances. The payment will end on 31 January 2021.
To be eligible, you must:
- Have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, either because you’ve tested positive for COVID-19 or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive.
- 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.
- Be employed or self-employed.
- Be unable to work from home and will lose income as a result.
From 28 September 2020, people with symptoms are required by law to self isolate. People eligible for this new payment, which is subject to income tax, who have had to self isolate from 28 September will receive backdated payments once the scheme is set up.
Discretionary Test and Trace Support Payment
If you are not receiving one of the qualifying benefits, but you are on a low income and unable to support yourself financially during your self-isolation you may be entitled to help with a discretionary payment.
To be eligible for a discretionary payment you must:
- Have been asked to self isolate by NHS Test and Trace, either because you’ve tested positive for COVID-19 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.
In addition, Tandridge District Council have agreed the following discretionary criteria will be taken into account when considering applications for considered when
- You have made a claim for 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 it is likely that this claim will be successful;
- You are a person from abroad who are excluded from claiming benefits but meet all the other statutory and discretionary criteria;
- Your gross annual income is less than £20,000 a year (£385 per week), although consideration will be given for higher annual incomes if the Council is provided with a suitable justification that is in the spirit of the grant;
- Your employer must confirm that because of your isolation you will lose pay.
- If you are self-employed, the self-employment must clearly be of the nature where you cannot work from home;
- You do not have capital exceeding £6,000.
Read the Council’s Test and Trace Discretionary Payment Policy.
To claim a payment either under the standard scheme or the discretionary scheme, you need to complete and submit our Test and Trace Support Payment form. To complete the form you will need your:
- Council Tax account number.
- NHS unique ID number (which you'll receive if you test positive).
- Proof of benefit.
- Name and address of employer, or proof of a self-assessment if self-employed.
Once we have received your form and all supporting evidence, you will be informed of the outcome within three working days and, if applicable, the payment will then be made.