People in Liverpool on low incomes who must self-isolate due to Covid-19 – and cannot work from home – will soon be able to claim a £500 lump-sum payment from the government.
From Monday 28 September, people who have tested positive for Covid-19 – or are in close contact with a person who has – will be required by law to self-isolate.
To help those who on low incomes who are unable to work from home, the government has announced it will be providing the £500 ‘Test and Trace Support’ payment.
A FAQ document has been created to help answer your questions
The payment scheme will be co-ordinated locally by Liverpool City Council – similar to the business support grant and Without Walls Hospitality Fund.
The scheme will be expected to be up and running by Monday 12 October.
Anyone self-isolating from Monday 28 September onwards will receive a back-dated payment.
To be eligible for the Test and Trace Support Payment, an individual must:
1. have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace either because they’ve tested positive for coronavirus or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive;
2. be employed or self-employed;
3. be unable to work from home and will lose income as a result; and
4. 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 main scheme will provide a one-off payment of £500 if the criteria are met (although repeat payments are possible if there is a further period of self-isolation). The payment will be subject to income tax.
Once live, people will be asked to make an online application (or a telephone application if they are digitally excluded) and submit as supporting evidence:
* a notification from NHS Test and Trace asking them to self-isolate (this will include a Unique ID number)
* a bank statement
* proof of employment
* if self-employed, evidence of self-assessment returns, trading income – and proof that their business delivers services which cannot be undertaken without social contact.
The government has also announced that there will be tough new measures for people who breach self-isolation rules and for businesses who prevent staff from self-isolating by threatening redundancy.
Those found breaching the rules could face a fine of £1,000, rising to £10,000 for more serious and persistent breaches.
For more information about local Covid-19 support along with advice and guidance, visit Liverpool City Council’s website.
