Somerset West and Taunton Council and Sedgemoor District Council are working together to ensure that people are not out of pocket if they are told to self-isolate and cannot work from home.
The two councils have collaborated on a system to administer the Government’s Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme where eligible residents can claim self-isolation payments of £500.
The legal duty to self-isolate came into force on 28 September for people who test positive for Covid-19 or are contacted by NHS Test and Trace app and are required to self-isolate.
The payment scheme opened on Monday, 12 October and is due to run until Friday 31 January 2021. Applications must be made within 14 days of the end of your self-isolation period.
Payments will be made where the qualifying conditions are met:-
- You must have been asked by NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate on or after 28 September.
- You must be employed or self-employed.
- You must not be able to carry out your work from home during the period of self-isolation, resulting in a loss of income.
- You must be in receipt of one of the following benefits: Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit or Pension Credit.
The Councils may make a discretionary award where an applicant is not in receipt of one these benefits.
Applications can be made on the Councils websites –https://www.somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk/
Or customers can contact their local Council for more information –
Somerset West and Taunton 0300 304 8000
Sedgemoor 0300 303 7800