Covid-19 Self Isolation Payments.

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.

Who will be eligible for a payment?

To be eligible for a support payment of £500 you must:

have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace either because you've tested positive for coronavirus or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, and
be employed or self-employed, and
be unable to work from home and will lose income as a result, and
be aged 16 or over, and
be currently receiving Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Income Based Employment & Support Allowance (ESA), Income Based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), Income Support, Housing Benefit and/or Pension Credit.

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.

Who is not eligible?

You will not be eligible for payment if you:

are quarantining after travelling abroad (unless you test positive during the 14-day quarantine period)
have not received a notification from NHS Test and Trace telling you to self-isolate
can work from home during a period of self-isolation
are no longer required to self-isolate - in other words, your period of self-isolation ended before the Test and Trace Support Scheme launched on 28 September 2020
your period of self-isolation started before the Test and Trace Support Scheme launched on 28 September 2020, even if you are still required to self-isolate after that date.

Click here to apply

Before you start your application

You will need the following information to make an application:

your eight-digit NHS Test and Trace ID Number - we cannot issue a payment without this
your National Insurance number
your bank details
a copy of your latest bank statement
proof of earnings, such as a pay slip (one issued within the last month)
proof of self-employment if you are self employed - for example, most recent set of accounts or evidence of self-assessment returns.

Test and Trace Support Payments are subject to tax but exempt from any National Insurance contribution, and they do not count as income for benefit purposes.

You will be required to consent to us verifying that you will lose income whilst you are self-isolating. This may involve us contacting your employer.

Payments will be delayed if you do not provide details and evidence as requested when submitting your application.

Can I help someone else make an application, or make an application on their behalf?

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.

What happens next?

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. The easiest way to submit evidence to us is by e-mailing it to benefits@stalbans.gov.uk. If you are eligible, we will let you know when you will receive your payment. St Albans City & District Council is committed to getting these payments to eligible applicants as soon as possible.

If I receive a support payment what am I required to do?

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:

Fraud

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 may be subject to recovery action.

The Government is supporting us to make the necessary checks to ensure payments can be verified and have been made correctly. You can read a privacy statement here.