If you are working, on a low-income and are required to self-isolate but can't work from home, you could be eligible for a £500 payment.
Eligibility for the main support payment scheme
If you live in North Somerset and have been told by NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate, you will be entitled to a self-isolation payment if you satisfy all of the following requirements:
- you are aged 16 or over
- you comply with the notification from NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate
- you are employed or self-employed
- you are unable to work from home and will lose income as a result
- you are in receipt of one of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- Income based Job Seeker’s Allowance
- Pension Credit
Eligibility for a discretionary support payment
If you don't meet the criteria for the main Test and Trace support payment, you may be eligible for a discretionary payment of £500.
The discretionary payment is designed for people who are on a low income, will face financial hardship due to self-isolating and are not currently receiving one of these benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- Income based Job Seeker’s Allowance
- Pension Credit
To receive a discretionary payment you must:
- have been told to stay at home and self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, either because you have tested positive for COVID-19 or or you 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
Additional eligibility
The following (additional) criteria will also be used to determine eligibility for discretionary payments:
- we will consider people who have applied for a benefit or been refused and have made an appeal against the decision so long as they meet the other statutory and discretionary criteria.
- the same will apply to persons from abroad who are excluded from claiming benefits but meet all the other statutory and discretionary criteria.
- applicants who have a gross weekly earnings figure of no more than £372 per week (40 hours x £9.30 per hour living wage)
- applicants must be working more than 16 hours
- an applicant would suffer severe financial hardship if a payment is not made (which they will be asked to substantiate)
- an applicant must have capital less than £6,000
Who isn’t eligible
You will not be eligible for the scheme if you:
- are quarantining after travelling abroad (unless you test positive during the 14-day quarantine period)
- continue to receive full wages while you self-isolate
- can work from home during a period of self-isolation
- are no longer required to self-isolate, for example if your period of self-isolation ended before the scheme launched on Monday 28 September
- have not received a notification from NHS Test and Trace telling you to self-isolate
When you can apply
You have to complete your application within two weeks of your self-isolation period ending.
You can't claim if your self-isolation period ended before Monday 28 September.
Apply for a Test and Trace support payment
If you live in North Somerset, you can apply for the Test and Trace support payment using our online form.
Applications will be back-dated from the launch date of the scheme on Monday 28 September.
Before you apply
To complete the form you will need:
- a copy of your latest bank statement (one issued within the last two months which must clearly show proof of earnings)
- proof of self-employment, for example, recent business bank statement (within the last two months), most recent set of accounts or evidence of self-assessment returns
- proof of your NHS Account ID for coronavirus COVID-19
- proof of the Account ID you have received from NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate
- your National Insurance Number
If you can't supply this information, we will be unable to consider your claim and you will not receive a payment.