Support payments for Covid-19 self-isolating workers

PR Date: Thursday, 8 October 2020 - 9:00am

Residents in North Herts in receipt of certain qualifying benefits who cannot work after being told to self-isolate, can apply from 12 October for a new Government support fund to be administered by North Herts District Council (NHDC).

In response to a rise in Covid-19 numbers across the country, the government has made it compulsory for people to self-isolate if the NHS has told them, either because they have tested positive for Covid-19 or because they have been in close contact with someone who has.

To support those who are self-isolating and are struggling financially as a result, the new Test and Trace Support Payment scheme is for people on low incomes who are unable to work from home.

The Test and Trace support payments are a one-off, lump sum of £500 per person.

To be eligible you must:

• Have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace;

• Be employed or self-employed;

• Be unable to work from home and will lose income as a result;

• 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

The council will also have a discretionary fund for residents who do not qualify for the Test and Trace Support Payment, but need financial support to self-isolate.

Cllr Ian Albert, NHDC’s Executive Member for Finance said: “We all need to play our part in controlling the spread of coronavirus and this one off payment is good news for people who would really struggle if required to self-isolate and find they are unable to work. If you live in North Herts, have been told to self-isolate and will struggle financially as a result, apply online or by phone and we will process your application as soon as possible.”

For further information on eligibility and to apply, visit the Test and Trace Support Payments page.

You can also email benefits@north-herts.gov.uk or call 01462 474597.

Notes to editors

Those testing positive for COVID-19 are legally obliged to self-isolate for a period ending 10 days after first showing symptoms or, for people who did not have symptoms when they were tested, 10 days after the test.

Other members of their household are legally obliged to self-isolate for 14 days after the infected person first showed symptoms or after they were tested.

Anyone notified of a positive test result and any of their notified contacts will have a legal duty to self-isolate. Failure to comply is an offence carrying a fine of at least £1,000 and up to £10,000 for several breaches.