Croydon residents who are struggling financially because they cannot work after being told to self-isolate can now apply for a new support fund provided by government and run by councils.
In response to a rise in Covid-19 numbers across the country, the government has made it compulsory for people to self-isolate if the NHS has told them to. This applies either because they have tested positive for Covid-19 or because they have been in close contact with someone who has.
To support those who are self-isolating and are struggling financially as a result, the new Test and Trace Support Payment scheme is for people on low incomes who are unable to work from home.
The Test and Trace support payments are a one-off, lump sum of £500 per person if they have been asked to self-isolate, and can prove they cannot work from home and are on a related benefit.
For information on how to apply, visit the council webpage or call 020 8726 7000 option 2.
To be eligible for the Test and Trace Support Payment, you must:
• Have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace
• Be employed or self-employed;
• Be unable to work from home and will lose income as a result; and
• Be 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.
• Provide a notification from NHS Test and Trace and a unique ID number
• Provide a bank statement; and
• Proof of employment, or evidence of self-assessment returns and income
• Proof you cannot work without social contact
The scheme is set to run until January 2021, and a claim can be made for each period of self-isolation required. Payments can be backdated from 28 September.
The council is also awaiting from government details of a discretionary fund for Croydon residents who do not qualify for the Test and Trace Support Payment but need financial support to self-isolate.
“If you are a Croydon resident who has been told to self-isolate but cannot work from home and will struggle financially as a result, apply either online or by phone and we will process your application as soon as possible.”
Councillor Alison Butler, deputy leader and cabinet member for homes and Gateway services
Those testing positive for COVID-19 are legally obliged to self-isolate for a period ending 10 days after first showing symptoms or, for people who did not have symptoms when they were tested, 10 days after the test.
Other members of their household are legally obliged to self-isolate for 14 days after the infected person first showed symptoms or after they were tested.
Anyone notified of a positive test result and any of their notified contacts will have a legal duty to self-isolate. The police are in charge of enforcing self-isolation, with failure to comply an offence carrying a fine of at least £1,000 and up to £10,000 for several breaches.
