Support for Wiltshire people on low incomes in self-isolation
Grants can be given to those eligible to compensate for loss of earnings.
Wiltshire Council is now able to hand out grants as part of the Government's Covid-19 Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme.
That's available as a lump sum of £500 to people on low incomes who are required to self-isolate and would lose money because they not working.
WHO CAN APPLY?
There's a few criteria for people to be eligibile for the support - you must:
- Have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace after Monday, 28 September 2020 and have a unique Test and Trace number provided by the NHS
- Be a Wiltshire resident
- Be employed or self-employed
- Have lost income by being unable to work from home while self-isolating
- Be receiving at least one of the following benefits - Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income-based Employment Support Allowance, Working Tax Credit
When applying you'll also need to have certain information to hand:
- National Insurance number
- NHS Test and Trace number
- If you're employed, a payslip
- If you're self-employed, evidence of self-assessment returns, trading income and proof that their business delivers services which cannot be undertaken without social contact
- A bank statement for the account they wish the payment to be made to
Claims can be backdated to 28th September 2020.
The scheme is due to run until 31st January 2021, when the Government will review the service.
You can visit the Wiltshire Council website for more information, or call 0300 456 0110.
Cllr Philip Whitehead, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said:
"We know that when people are told to self-isolate this can increase financial pressures for some at an already difficult time.
"It is now a legal requirement to self-isolate when instructed by NHS Test and Trace. Therefore we hope this scheme provides help to those who need it most, as now more than ever we need people to self-isolate when they are told to do so to help us keep the virus under control in Wiltshire."