Test & Trace Support Payment – register your details

The scheme has been set up to help people on low incomes who are unable to work whilst self-isolating.

Those who meet the benefits-linked eligibility criteria will receive a £500 lump sum to cover the two-week self-isolation period. Payments will be subject to income tax but they will not be taken into account for benefit purposes and they will not be subject to National Insurance contributions.

The scheme which will run until January 31st 2021, has been set up following the Government’s announcement that from September 28th 2020 in England, there will be a new legal duty to self-isolate on anyone testing positive for COVID-19 or who is identified by NHS Test and Trace as a close contact of someone who has tested positive.

To be eligible for a support payment, a person must:

• have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, either because they've tested positive for coronavirus or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive;
• be employed or self-employed;
• be unable to work from home and will lose income as a result of their self-isolation; and
• be in receipt of Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Income-based Employment and Support Allowance, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit and/or Pension Credit.

Councils have been identified by the Government as being responsible for receiving claims, verifying information and arranging for payments to be made.

Hartlepool Borough Council is awaiting more detailed guidance from the Government on how the scheme will operate but, in the meantime, it is asking people who think they qualify for support to register their details by emailing benefitstestandtracesupport@hartlepool.gov.uk or calling (01429) 284188.

Following receipt of further information from the Government, they will be invited to submit an application with supporting information to validate their claim.

Supporting information includes:

• a notification from NHS Track and Trace asking you to self-isolate (this will include a unique ID reference);
• a current bank statement showing the applicant’s name, sort code and account number;
• proof of employment, or if you are self-employed, evidence of self-assessment returns, trading income and proof that your business delivers services which cannot be undertaken without social contact.

The Council is currently setting up an online application process, and an alternative telephone process for those not able to access digital services.

The deadline to have the scheme in place is October 12th 2020. Any claim that qualifies from 28th September 2020 will be backdated.