If you are not receiving one of the qualifying benefits to qualify for a non-discretionary support payment, but are on a low income and self-isolation will cause you severe financial hardship, you may still be entitled to a payment of £500 under the Discretionary Support Payment Scheme. Please see details for this scheme below.
Who is this scheme for?
A discretionary payment of £500 can be made to individuals who:
- have been told to stay at home and self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, either because they have tested positive for coronavirus or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive;
- are employed or self-employed; and
- are unable to work from home and will lose income as a result.
In addition, the discretionary payment is for people:
- who 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; and
- who are on low incomes and will face severe financial hardship as a result of not being able to work while they are self-isolating.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Discretionary Support Payment, applicants must also meet at least one of the criteria below:
- have claimed one of the qualifying benefits (as listed above) but not yet had a decision. The claim must have been made before the start of the self-isolation period.
- are in receipt of Local Council Tax Reduction but not one of the other qualifying benefits
- were in receipt of Local Council Tax Reduction or one of the qualifying benefits (listed above) in the last two months
The Council will have the discretion to consider applications from individuals who do not meet the above criteria, but who can demonstrate they are experiencing severe financial hardship due to the requirement to self isolate.
Proof of household income, expenditure and savings will be required in these cases.
Limitations
Due to funding limitations, the Discretionary Support Payment scheme is subject to change at any point by the Council. Once the funding has been allocated, the Council may have to close this part of the scheme.
Information you will need to supply
You will need to supply the following information which can be uploaded with your application:
- notification from NHS Test and Trace asking you to self-isolate
- your unique ID number as provided by the NHS Test & Trace
- a recent 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 which cannot be undertaken without social contact.
You must also provide:
- evidence that you have claimed one of the qualifying benefits (as listed above) but not yet had a decision. The claim must have been made before the start of the self-isolation period; or
- evidence that you are in receipt Local Council Tax Reduction; or
- evidence that you were in receipt of Local Council Tax Reduction or one of the qualifying benefits (listed above) in the last two months; or
- evidence of severe financial hardship due to the requirement to self isolate - proof of income, expenditure and savings will be required in these cases.
If you do not supply any required evidence within seven days of submitting your application we will close your application.
How to apply
You can contact our Revenues Customer Services Team on 01246 217600 and they will assist you.