Swindon residents on low incomes, who lose income as a consequence of self-isolation, will be offered a £500 payment as part of a national scheme facilitated by Swindon Borough Council.
The payment is for those who have been identified by the Test and Trace programme as they have been in close contact with someone who tested positive for Covid.
To be eligible for the payment you must:
- Have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace after Monday, 28th September and have a unique Test and Trace number provided by the NHS
- Be employed or self-employed
- Have lost income by being unable to work from home while self-isolating
- Be making their application during their period of self-isolation, or no more than 14 calendar days after the date their period of self-isolation ended
- Be in receipt of one of the following benefits – Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Income-based Employment Support Allowance, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit, Pension Credit.
If someone is not receiving one of these benefits, but is on a low income and self-isolation will cause them hardship, they may still be entitled to a payment under a discretionary scheme, said the council.
The new payments have been introduced by the government following reports across the country that some people were struggling to self-isolate due to their financial situation, and the need to go out and work to support themselves and their families.
Applications were only accepted from Monday, but claims can be backdated to September 28th.
Councillor Russell Holland, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Commercialisation, Education and Skills, said: “Ensuring residents self-isolate when required, is crucial in our fight against coronavirus, but for those who cannot work from home, we understand that self-isolation can have significant financial implications.
“As a council, we are pleased to be able to provide financial support to residents who need it most, during what continues to be for many, an extremely challenging time.”
The Test and Trace Support Payment is available until 31st January 2021. More information on the scheme, including the eligibility criteria, as well as the application form to apply for the payment, can be found on the Council website here: https://www.swindon.gov.uk/testandtracesupport
