Self-isolation financial support scheme launched in Chichester district - Find out if you are eligible

Chichester District Council has launched a self-isolation support scheme, which will assist those who have been instructed to stay at home by NHS Test and Trace — either due to a positive Covid-19 test or having been in contact with someone who has tested positive.

Residents who are on a low income, and have been instructed to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace since September 28, may qualify for a standard support payment of £500.

A district council spokesperson said: "To help stop the spread of coronavirus, people across England are now required by law to self-isolate if they test positive for the virus, or if they are instructed to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace.

"To help those on low incomes to self-isolate and to encourage people to get tested if they have symptoms, the government has announced a new package of support."

Those who are eligible for this support must meet all of the following criteria:

- Have been told to stay at home and self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace after 28 September, either because they have tested positive for coronavirus or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive.

- Be employed or self-employed.

- Be unable to work from home and will lose income as a result.

- Be in receipt of at least one of the following benefits; Universal Credit; Working Tax Credit; Income Based Employment and Support Allowance; Income Based Job Seekers Allowance; Income Support; Housing Benefit, and/or Pension Credit.

The district council said it will be processing applications and issuing these payments on behalf of the government.

Councillor Peter Wilding, cabinet member for finance, corporate services and revenues and benefits, said: "Now more than ever, we want to support people as much as we possibly can by making sure that they can access all the financial help available to them.

“The Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme is designed to help residents who need to self-isolate but who would otherwise struggle financially to do so.

"When self-isolating, people must not go to work, school or any other public spaces, and this can impact on people financially if they cannot work from home and won’t be paid for the period of time they need to isolate.

“To claim, you must have a notification from the NHS Test and Trace service asking you to self-isolate.

"You must be in-work, unable to work from home and receive at least one of the following benefits: Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Income-based Employment Support Allowance, Income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit or Pension Credit."

Councillor Wilding encouraged residents, who have to self-isolate, to check the criteria at www.gov.uk/coronavirus and, if you think you may be eligible, apply at: www.chichester.gov.uk/testandtracepayments.

He added: "Residents who don’t receive one of the qualifying benefits, may be eligible for financial support from the council’s discretionary fund, which may aims to help residents who are not eligible for the Test and Trace Isolation Payment Scheme but who are on a low income and will suffer financial hardship as a result of having to self-isolate.

"Residents in this situation should fill in the same form at: www.chichester.gov.uk/testandtracepayments“To continue to protect our loved ones, it’s critically important that anyone with Covid-19 symptoms, those who have tested positive, or those who have been notified that they are a close contact, self-isolate straight away. Please continue to play your part in keeping the Chichester District safe by self-isolating when you need to.”

Applications need to be made within 14 days of receiving the notification from Test and Trace, and claims can be backdated to September 28. the council said.

To make an application, residents will need to provide the following information; a notification from NHS Test and Trace asking you to self-isolate; proof of receipt of one of the qualifying benefits; national insurance number; a bank statement (dated in the last two months); and proof of employment, or (if you are self-employed) evidence of self-assessment returns, trading income and proof that your business delivers services which cannot be undertaken without social contact.

If you don’t have access to the internet or if you need help making a claim, please contact the council’s Revenues and Benefits team by emailing [email protected] or calling 01243 534509.

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