Working people on a low income in Wolverhampton who are required by law to self-isolate due to coronavirus could be entitled to a one-off payment of £500.
The city council is now accepting applications for the government’s Test and Trace Payments Scheme.
The payment is designed to assist people who will lose income if they are asked to self-isolate and are unable to continue working from home.
Payments are made as a one-off lump sum for certain people asked to self-isolate on or after 28 September - strict eligibility criteria apply.
To be eligible for the Test and Trace Support Payment, an individual must, on or after 28 September 2020, have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, be in work (either employed or self employed), face a loss in income because they are unable to work from home and either:
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Be in receipt of certain qualifying benefits such as Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, income-based Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit and/or Pension Credit.
Or
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Not in receipt of qualifying benefits, but earning less than £18,480 per year (£354.47 per week) for a single person with no children or less than £20,000 per year (£383.56 per week) in a household with children.
To apply for the payments, people should visit: www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/testtracesupportpayment
Cllr Louise Miles, City of Wolverhampton Council’s cabinet member for resources, said: “It is an offence not to self-isolate if you are told to do so by NHS Test and Trace, punishable by fines of up to £10,000.
“Most people are self-isolating when asked because they know it is the right thing to do to protect others from catching the virus. However, for some people on low incomes who cannot work from home, being asked to self-isolate could mean losing money.
“These new test and trace payments are for those people, the aim is to encourage people to do the right thing and not have to make the choice potentially between protecting others or putting food on the table and paying the bills.
“I would urge anyone who meets the criteria to apply. As a council, we have taken the local decision to widen out the criteria of the scheme for those earning less than £18,480 if you live alone with no children or £20,000 if you have children to ensure more people on a low income can get the help.”
Anyone who does not meet the criteria for NHS Test and Trace Payments, but is struggling financially may be entitled to other help and support. Please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/coronavirus-advice-and-information/financial-support-and-guidance for more information.
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