Workers who have been told to self-isolate by the NHS Test and Trace service will be able to apply for the Government’s Test and Trace Support Payment scheme through Rotherham Council’s website.
A £500 lump sum is available to workers who are unable to work from home after being told to self-isolate either because they have tested positive for the virus or have been identified as a contact and have been advised by the NHS to stay at home,
The Test and Trace Support Payment has been set up by the Government to support people on low incomes who are unable to work from home to self-isolate without losing their wages.
To be eligible for the Test and Trace Support Payment, you must:
- have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace either because you have tested positive for coronavirus or have been told to self-isolate by the NHS Test and Trace service. This does not include notifications via the NHS app.
- be employed or self-employed;
- be unable to work from home and will lose income as a result; and
- 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 Government announced that from Monday 28 September, new fines will come into force for those people who break self-isolation rules. The support payment scheme will also come into effect from Monday 28 September 2020.
The Council is currently awaiting for Government to provide the scheme guidance, should this become available prior to the 12 October the application process may be published sooner. Those who are eligible from 28 September 2020 will be able to make a backdated claim.
Rotherham Council’s Strategic Director Finance and Customer Services, Judith Badger, said: “The Council is pleased to support those who are required to self-isolate through the Government’s Test and Trace Support Payment. Residents wanting to apply for the payment will be able to do so once the application process has been published on the Council’s website and I encourage those who are eligible to submit an application.”