Employed or self-employed people on low incomes who are told to self-isolate but whose income would be hit by staying at home can now claim a £500 support payment.
Since 28th September, anyone who receives a positive Covid-19 test or is told to self-isolate by the NHS Test & Trace Service, must self-isolate by law, with anyone failing to self-isolate when they are required to do so facing a fine of between £1,000 and £10,000.
To help stop the spread of coronavirus, and to ensure that anyone on a low income can self-isolate for up to 14 days, without having to worry about their finances, the Government has introduced the Test & Trace Support Payment.
From Monday (12 October), anyone who thinks they are eligible for the payment will be able to submit a claim on the city council’s website.
City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “Self-isolating is one of the best tools we have for stopping the spread of coronavirus, so it’s really important that people stay at home when they’re told to do so.
“But for many people, two weeks off work without pay could lead to serious financial hardship.
“If you’re on a low income and you’re asked to self-isolate, you may be entitled to this new support payment.
“If you’ve had a positive test result, or you’ve been told to self-isolate by the test & trace service and you think you might be eligible for support, please go to our website and complete the online form.”
Leicester City Council has set up the self-isolation support scheme on behalf of the Government.
For more information, and details of how to claim, please go to www.leicester.gov.uk
Information on how to help those who are unable to make an online claim is also provided.
Anyone who meets the criteria and who started to self-isolate from 28 September will be able to claim a backdated payment.