Financial support when self-isolating

Test and Trace Support payment

Individuals who are required to self-isolate and who meet the eligibility criteria will be entitled to a £500 lump sum.

When to submit a claim by

If you tested positive before Thursday 24 February 2022

The Test and Trace Support Payment scheme has now closed.  If you were told to self-isolate before 24 February 2022, you can still make a claim within 42 days of the first day of self-isolation and no later than 6 April 2022.

The scheme will be open until 6 April 2022.

If you tested positive on or after Thursday 24 February 2022

If you stay at home as you've test positive for COVID-19 or are displaying COVID-19 symptoms from Thursday 24 February 2022, you may be eligible for other government support, such as Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance. More information can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits

From 11th January 2022 if you receive a positive lateral flow test you will still require a positive PCR test to access the Test and Trace support payment

The positive PCR will enable you to register with NHS track and trace which will generate a Test and Trace ID number, the PCR test and NHS ID number are essential requirement to meet the eligibility criteria of the scheme.

Claims without a positive PCR test and NHS ID cannot be processed.

Who is eligible

To be eligible for the Test and Trace Support payment, you must:

  • have either:
    • been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace because you have tested positive for Coronavirus, or have been told to self-isolate by the NHS Test and Trace service and are not exempt from self-isolating;
    • or been told to self-isolate by the NHS Test and Trace app. You will be able to convert the app notification into a Track and Trace ID. Watch how to do this on YouTube.
  • have completed the Test and Trace survey to confirm places you have been and people you have been in contact with. Once completed, you will receive an account ID which should be used to process your support payment request;
  • be employed or self-employed, be unable to work from home, and will lose income as a result. This includes people who have employment and are in receipt of at least one of the following benefits: Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, income-based Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit and / or Pension Credit.

Who isn't eligible

You will not be eligible for the scheme if you:

  • are fully vaccinated and you are a contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. However, anyone fully vaccinated with a positive COVID-19 test will remain eligible
  • are quarantining after travelling abroad (unless you test positive during the 14-day quarantine period and are advised to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace)
  • continue to receive full wages while you self-isolate
  • can work from home during a period of self-isolation
  • are no longer required to self-isolate as your period of self-isolation ended before the Self-Isolation Payment Scheme launched on 28 September 2020
  • have not received a notification from NHS Test and Trace telling you to self-isolate
  • have to stay at home to look after a child who has to self-isolate.
  • Applications for the TTSP made by staff working in the care sector should will be rejected. Instead, the individual should be directed to the Adult Social Care Infection Control Fund (ICF), which their employer will have access to.
  • Healthcare workers who have been identified as contacts and are fully vaccinated, but have been refused entry into their workplace because a member of their household has tested positive, do not qualify for TTSP.

Payment

The payment will be made in a single payment of £500. It will be subject to income tax but not national insurance.

The payment can be claimed for each time you are required to self-isolate, as long as the time frames for self-isolations do not overlap.

The payment will only be made once a valid application has been made to the Council.

If you're not able to meet the government's criteria, you may qualify for the council's £250 payment. This is assessed through the same claim form, so please submit below.

How to apply

Please only make one claim for each unique ID number from Test and Trace. 

Once your claim has been successfully completed you will receive a reference number - for example, TAT001234. Please ensure you make a note of the number and use it in any further correspondence.

Apply for a Test and Trace Support payment.

If you are unable to apply online, you can contact us at 01709 807319.