East Suffolk Council
East Suffolk Test and Trace Payment Scheme
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From the 11th January 2022 the government guidance has been updated to advise that a PCR test is not required following a positive LFD test. An exception to this revised approach is where you are eligible for a Test and Trace Support payment, a PCR test is required to enable you to access financial support. From 30 November 2021, contacts of people who are suspected or confirmed to have the Omicron variant will be told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace regardless of their age or vaccination status. These contacts will receive written confirmation by email or text message and will be eligible to claim a Self-Isolation Payment providing the eligibility requirements are met. If you have been contacted by NHS Test and Trace following a positive PCR test and have been told to self-isolate, you may be entitled to financial support. To be eligible for a £500 lump sum payment you must have:
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People on low incomes who have had to self-isolate and have been unable to work due to Coronavirus may be eligible for a £500 payment. Please use the menu below for more information.
| East Suffolk Test and Trace Payment Scheme |
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| Details about the scheme |
| Eligibility for the Test and Trace Support Payment |
| Payment amount |
| Apply for a Test and Trace Support Payment |
| What help can individuals get if they are not eligible for the Track and Trace Support Payment? |
| Other information and help |
| Covid-19 health and safety guidance for businesses |
| Covid-19 business grant funding |
About the scheme
The Government has introduced a Test and Trace Support Payment scheme to support people on low incomes if they can't work during their self-isolation period.
As part of the scheme, eligible people will receive a £500 lump sum payment.
Self-isolating is very important as it helps prevent family, friends and the community from contracting coronavirus. It also protects the health and care system.
This scheme will run until 31 March 2022.
More information is available on the gov.uk website.
Eligibility for the Test and Trace Support Payment
| You are eligible for the Test and Trace Support payment if you: |
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have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace because:
and are currently receiving:
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Payment amount
Individuals who are required to self-isolate and who meet the eligibility criteria will be entitled to £500. This will be payable as a lump sum.
Payments are subject to income tax but not National Insurance contributions.
Apply for a Test and Trace Support Payment
You are entitled to the payment if you meet the eligibility criteria and have been asked to self-isolate on or after 28 September 2020.
When the scheme is open for applications you will need to submit the following evidence:
- a notification from NHS Test and Trace asking you to self-isolate. This will include an 8-character NHS Test and Trace Account ID;
- proof of receipt of one of the qualifying benefits;
- a bank statement; and
- proof of employment. If you're self-employed you'll need to provide evidence of self-assessment returns, trading income and proof that your business delivers services which cannot be undertaken without social contact
Please note: Any claim must be made within 42 days of the first day of your NHS test and trace isolation period. The same Test and Trace Support Payment application form can be used for both the main scheme and the discretionary scheme.
What help can individuals get if they are not eligible for the Track and Trace Support Payment?
Whether you meet the criteria or not set by Government, there is help available for those facing financial difficulty or needing support. The Suffolk Support and Advice Service helps people across the county access information or support relating to debt, benefits, housing or employment. You can contact the service on 0800 068 3131 between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday or visit the Suffolk Support and Advice Service website.
Local residents required to self isolate but who do not fulfil all the requirements of the Track and Trace payment scheme may be able to get other support.
The Discretionary Scheme
Local authorities can make a £500 discretionary payment to individuals (including those who meet the parent and guardian criteria) 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
- will face financial hardship as a result of not being able to work while they are self-isolating
To qualify for one of our discretionary schemes you must a household income of less that £57,400 (couple or single parents) or £39,200 (single person) and have savings of less than £10,000
For both the Test and Trace Support Payment and discretionary payments, eligible individuals will receive their £500 payment on top of any benefits and Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) that they currently receive.
If an individual is not successful for either the Track and Trace Support Payment or the Discretionary fund there is no right of appeal.
Payments for parents or guardians
From 16 August 2021, parents or guardians who are not legally required to self-isolate can apply for a Self-Isolation Payment if they need to take time off work to care for a child or young person who is self-isolating.
Applications can be made if your child has tested positive or is a sibling of a child who has tested positive, and has been advised by the school to self-isolate following guidance from the Suffolk County Councils CYP Covid-19 Support Team, and the isolation period does not overlap with a period you have already received a payment for or your child is aged between 18 and 25 and has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHC) and is a close contact of someone who has tested positive.
To qualify for this payment, you must:
- be employed or self-employed
- be unable to work from home and will lose income as a result, and
- be in receipt of one of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- Income based Job Seeker's Allowance and/or
- Pension Credit, or
- have a household income of less than £57,400 (couple or single parents) or £19,200 (single person) and have savings of less than £10,000
In addition to this you must satisfy the following requirements:
- The parent or guardian must be in the same household as the child or young person and needs to take time off work to care for them while they self-isolate.
- The child or young person who normally attends an education or childcare setting must be either:
- aged 15 or under
- aged between 16 and 25 and have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHC).
- The child or young person has been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, or by their education or childcare setting - this can be evidenced by providing either:
- the child's eight-digit Test and Trace ID number - for ages 15 and under
- a communication from the child or young person's education or childcare setting to confirm that they have to self-isolate
- a screenshot of a young person's NHS COVID-19 app notification to confirm they need to self-isolate and proof of an EHC - for ages 16 to 25.
