Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme

Posted by jonathanfullarton - November 19, 2020 10:56 am Test and Trace Support Payment scheme

Anyone showing symptoms of coronavirus needs to stay at home and self-isolate to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus.  Those who have also tested positive for Covid-19 are also under legal obligation to self-isolate.  Failure to do so may involve a fine.

However, if you are on a low income, unable to work from home and losing income as a result of self-isolating then there is some financial support available and, you may be eligible to claim £500 from your local authority  under the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme.  The scheme is only available in England and currently set to end after 31 January 2021. 

Are you eligible?

You may be eligible for a £500 Test and Trace Support Payment if you meet the following criteria:

  • you live in England
  • you have been instructed stay at home and self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, either because you have tested positive for coronavirus or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive
  • you’re employed or self-employed
  • you’re unable to work from home and will lose income as a result of self-isolating
  • you’re currently receiving at least one of the following:
  • Universal Credit
  • Working Tax Credit
  • income-based Employment and Support Allowance
  • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income Support
  • Housing Benefit
  • Pension Credit

However, even if you do not fulfil the above criteria for the Test and Trace Support Payment, you could be eligible for a £500 discretionary payment if you live in England and meet the following criteria:

  • you have been told to stay at home and self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, either because you have tested positive for coronavirus or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive
  • you are employed or self-employed
  • you are unable to work from home and will lose income as a result of self-isolating
  • you are not 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
  • you are on a low income and will face financial hardship as a result of not being able to work while you are self-isolating

If you’re eligible for either the Test and Trace Support Payment or discretionary payment, you will receive the £500 payment on top of any benefits and Statutory Sick Pay that you currently receive.

How to apply

To apply use the government’s search tool to find your local council’s application page.

To apply you will need to provide all of the following:

  • a notification from NHS Test and Trace telling you to self-isolate. When you test positive or are identified as a close contact by NHS Test and Trace, they will contact you via phone, email, letter or text message, and provide you with an 8-digit code. You will need to provide this code to your local authority
  • proof of receipt of one of the qualifying benefits (see above)
  • a bank statement
  • proof of employment or, if you are self-employed, evidence of self-assessment returns, trading income and proof that your business delivers services that cannot be undertaken without social contact

For more details of help and support please read our Covid-19 Hub and supporting posts by searching for Covid-19 in the search tool at the top right-hand of the page. Or contact us for more help.