If you are on a low income and are unable to work because you have been told by NHS Test and Trace that you have to self-isolate, you may be eligible for a lump sum payment of £500 as part of the Government’s Test and Trace Support Payment scheme.
Who will be eligible?
To be eligible you must:
- have been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace because you have tested positive for coronavirus or have recently been in close contact with someone who has; and
- be employed or self-employed; and
- be unable to work from home and will lose income as a result
You also need to be in receipt of one of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income Support
- Housing Benefit
- Pension Credit
Discretionary fund payment
The government has also provided limited funding for discretionary awards to be made if you do not meet the criteria above.
To be eligible for a discretionary fund payment you must:
- have been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace because you have tested positive for coronavirus or have recently been in close contact with someone who has; and
- be employed or self-employed; and
- be unable to work from home; and
- will lose income as a result of undertaking self-isolation
Providing you are:
- in receipt of Working Age Local Council Tax Support (a local means-tested benefit); or
- a student who is exempt from Local Council Tax Support; or
- someone who has No Recourse to Public Funds.
How to apply
To apply for a self-isolation support payment, please complete the online application form on the Ipswich Borough Council website. https://www.ipswich.gov.uk/content/self-isolation-support-payments
