Starting Monday, 4 million of the UK’s poorest workers will be able to apply for the Self-Isolation Scholarship.
The scholarship, which is currently only available to people in England, was introduced with the hope of providing financial assistance to low-paid workers who had been unable to self-isolate for two weeks.
But the £ 500 will still be less than the £ 700 the 25-year-old earns in two weeks on the minimum wage.
Self-isolation payments are launching at the same time with new fines of £ 10,000 for people who violate the two-week self-isolation rules.
Here’s everything you need to know, according to the mirror.
Who can claim a payment of £ 500?
The government says fewer than 4 million people in England will be eligible – people with benefits and at work.
You can claim payment if you receive a blanket credit, work tax credit, income-based employment and support allowance, income-based jobseeker allowance, income support, housing benefit and / or pension credit.
You must be employed or self-employed and unable to work from home – resulting in lost income as a result.
You should also be advised to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, either if you have tested positive for coronavirus or have been in close contact with a positive case.
What if i have symptoms?
If the Covid-19 test result is not positive, you will not be eligible – even if you have symptoms.
The government has indicated that you will only be eligible for the sum of £ 500 if you are required to be impeached by the NHS Test and Trace.
When will the payments begin?
Payments will be available to anyone who begins self-isolation from September 28 onwards.
However, the actual system is not expected to become operational until after two weeks.
The £ 500 payment system is being operated by cash-strapped local councils, and the government says it expects it to be up and running by 12 October.
Anyone who begins self-isolation starting September 28 should receive a retroactive payment after the system goes into effect in their area.
How do I apply?
You will need to call or apply online for your local council and provide supporting evidence.
The councils will deliver the payments and administer the system, according to the government.
This is despite many municipal councils struggling to deal with the pandemic after years of cuts. The government says the councils will be paid for by the central government.
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What evidence will I need to show?
The government says you will need to show four evidence when applying:
- Notice of testing and tracking You are asked to self-isolate (including a unique identifier number)
- Bank account statement
- Proof of employment
- Confirmation from your employer that you are unable to work from home Or if you are self-employed, for example evidence of self-evaluation returns.
Will benefits or sick pay be canceled?
No – at least you shouldn’t.
Usually, if you receive some income in a specific month, it will reduce your overall credit payment.
But the government insists that people will be paid £ 500 plus any statutory sick payments or benefits they receive.
The statutory sickness wage is worth £ 95.85 per week for working people who earn more than £ 120 per week, are in isolation and cannot work from home. Trade unions have been warning for months that this is not enough.
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You can register simply by following the instructions here
Is it available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
No, not at the moment – the scheme is only for England.
No10 claims to be doing business with mandated governments to “explore opportunities for a UK scale scheme” but no promises or deadlines.
