THERE is now financial support available to people on a low income who are required to self-isolate due to Covid-19.
The Government’s Covid-19 Test and Trace Support Payment scheme is now live and people may be eligible if they are required to self-isolate because of Covid-19, are on a low income, and will lose money because they cannot work.
The scheme is locally administered by Wiltshire Council and can provide qualifying people with a lump sum of £500.
Wiltshire Council report, “To be eligible, people must:
• Have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace after Monday 28th September 2020 and have a unique Test and Trace number provided by the NHS
• Be a Wiltshire resident
• Be employed or self-employed
• Have lost income by being unable to work from home while self-isolating
• Be receiving at least one of the following benefits: – Universal Credit – Pension Credit – Housing Benefit – Income Support – Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance – Income-based Employment Support Allowance – Working Tax Credit
“The information people need to hand when applying is: • Their National insurance number • Their NHS Test and Trace number • If they are employed, a payslip • If they are self-employed, evidence of self-assessment returns, trading income and proof that their business delivers services which cannot be undertaken without social contact • A bank statement for the account they wish the payment to be made to
“If applicable, people can make a backdated claim to 28th September 2020. The scheme is due to run until 31st January 2021, at which point it will be reviewed by the government.”
Cllr Philip Whitehead, leader of Wiltshire Council, said, “We know that when people are told to self-isolate this can increase financial pressures for some at an already difficult time.
“It is now a legal requirement to self-isolate when instructed by NHS Test and Trace. Therefore we hope this scheme provides help to those who need it most, as now more than ever we need people to self-isolate when they are told to do so to help us keep the virus under control in Wiltshire.”
For more information and to apply people should visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/benefits-test-and-trace or call 0300 456 0110. People can also email benefits@wiltshire.gov.uk for more information.
