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Thousands more will qualify for the government’s £ 500 self-isolation payments from today.
Brits who are told to isolate themselves for up to 14 days via the NHS Test and Trace app will be able to request the additional support starting Thursday, under new rules announced by Matt Hancock.
“If the app tells you to isolate yourself, you are now entitled to a payment of £ 500,” consumer expert Martin Lewis told viewers on tonight’s ITV Money Show.
“Those who were told to self-isolate in recent days will also qualify for the support, however, it will not cover those who have already completed their period of isolation,” he added.
What has changed?
(Image: ITV)
The new rules from Thursday mean that those who are asked by the NHS Covid-19 app for self-isolation will be able to use their phones to apply for grants of £ 500.
Support payments for low-wage workers who were ordered to stay home due to contact with positive cases were only previously available to people contacted by contact trackers.
However, under the new NHS Test and Trace plans, anyone eligible for payment can now make a claim through the app.
The £ 500 cash payments are designed to make things easier for the poorest workers who cannot afford to isolate themselves for up to 14 days.
Around 4 million people are believed to be eligible for the grant, including those receiving benefits and working.
Who can claim the £ 500 payment?
(Image: Getty Images / iStockphoto)
The Test and Trace Assistance Plan went into effect on September 28 and will run until January 31, 2021.
According to him, anyone who meets the eligibility criteria and is asked to isolate himself will be entitled to a payment of £ 500.
The government says just under 4 million people in England are eligible, including those receiving benefits and working.
You can claim payment if you receive universal credit, work tax credit, income-based employment and support allowance, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income subsidy, housing benefit, and / or pension credit.
You must be self-employed or self-employed and cannot work from home, thus losing income.
What if I have no symptoms?
The government has made it clear that you will only be eligible for the £ 500 payment if you have been told by NHS Test and Trace to isolate yourself, regardless of whether you have any symptoms.
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How do I sign up?
You can now apply for the grant through the NHS Test and Trace app or online through your local council.
City councils will deliver payments and administer the system, according to the government.
What evidence will I have to show?
If you are applying through your local council, you will need to show four pieces of evidence when you apply:
Will it affect my current benefits or my sick pay?
No.
Typically, if your income increases in a given month, your Universal Credit payments will suffer.
However, the government said people will be paid £ 500 in addition to any statutory sick pay or benefits they receive.
Legal sick pay is worth £ 95.85 per week for employed people who earn more than £ 120 per week, are forced to isolate themselves and are unable to work from home.
Is it available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
No, not at the moment, the plan only applies in England.
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