Updated 5 January 2021
The Government has announced a new payment to support people who face financial difficulty if they have been instructed to self-isolate on or after 28 September 2020.
If you have been contacted by the NHS and asked to self-isolate, either because you have tested positive for coronavirus COVID-19 or you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive, you may be entitled to some financial help during your self-isolation period. This scheme will run from 28 September 2020 to 31 January 2021.
Please see the GOV.UK website for the full and latest information.
To be eligible for a support payment of £500 you must:
If you are not receiving one of these benefits, are on a low income and unable to support yourself financially during your self-isolation period you may still be entitled to help under our discretionary scheme.
You will not be eligible for payment if you:
To apply for a support payment you will need to complete an application form and provide evidence to confirm your eligibility. No application can be accepted without a valid Test and Trace ID reference number.
Applications will be accepted up to fourteen days after the end of the self-isolation period.
Apply for a Plymouth Test and Trace support Payment
You will need the following information to make an application:
a recent bank statement (within the last 2 months) that shows your name as the account holder, the account number and sort code. If the statement does not show your name please also supply a photo of your bank card (without showing the 16 digit card number). We cannot make a payment without evidence that the bank account is in your name.
Test and Trace Support Payments are subject to Tax but exempt from any National Insurance Contribution.
Test and Trace Support Payments do not count as income for benefit purposes.
We may contact your employer to confirm that you are unable to work from home and will lose income as a result.
Payments may be delayed if you do not provide details and evidence as requested when submitting your application.
You can help someone else fill out an application, or fill out an application on their behalf. However, you cannot receive payments on behalf of someone else; payments will only be made to the person who has been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace.
Once you have submitted your completed application and supporting evidence we will carry out the necessary checks to confirm you are eligible for a payment. If we are able to confirm you are entitled we will contact you to confirm when you will receive your payment.
If you are successful we aim to make payment within three working days of your application being verified.
You must agree to self-isolate in line with the instructions from NHS Test and Trace.
The NHS Test and Trace website has more information about self-isolation requirements for anyone
You may face prosecution if you have manipulated or falsified your position in order to obtain these payments, including failure to self-isolate as requested by NHS Test and Trace and which puts others at risk. Any payment made as a result of fraud my be subject to recovery action, as may any grants paid in error.
The Government is supporting local councils to make the necessary checks to ensure payments can be verified and have been made correctly.