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Test and Trace support payment

Update - The Test and Trace Support Payment scheme has been extended until 31 March 2022.

Those who test positive for COVID-19, or have been identified by NHS Test and Trace because they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, will be required to self-isolate. Self-isolation is critical in helping to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Test and Trace support payments of £500 are available to help ensure that people on low incomes can self-isolate when they test positive or are identified as a contact.

You must have been advised to isolate on or after the 28 September 2020 in order to be eligible for the payment. You can download our Privacy Notice here (PDF, 450Kb).

As of 16 August 2021, fully vaccinated adults and children under 18 years and 6 months will no longer be required to isolate if they are identified as a contact of a positive case. Therefore they will no longer be eligible for a Test and Trace Support Payment. 

A new test and trace support payment for parents or guardians of a child or young person told to self-isolate is also available. If the parent or guardian does not legally have to self-isolate themselves but has to take time off work, they may be able to apply from 8 March 2021.

To be eligible for the Test and Trace support payment you must:

  • have been asked to self-isolate (on or after 28 September) by NHS Test and Trace either because you have  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
  • be currently receiving 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 your partner is receiving one of these benefits

  • apply within 42 days of the date your self-isolation period started

If you do not receive one of the above benefits you may qualify for a Discretionary Payment if you are either in receipt of a Council Tax Reduction or your partner is, or have savings of less than £3,000 and your pre-isolation income, before tax and national insurance deductions, was between £80.00 and £450.00 per week.

If your earned income was not in that range you will not qualify.

The payment will be made in one lump sum and will be subject to Income Tax.

In order to apply you will need to provide the following evidence:

  • A notification from NHS Test & Trace asking you to self-isolate (including your unique ID number)
  • A bank statement
  • Proof of employment, or if you are self-employed, self-employment assessment returns, trading income and proof that you cannot work from home and will lose income as a result. 

If you are applying for a Discretionary Payment we may need to ask you for further information

You will not qualify for a payment if your income is lower than normal because you have been furloughed. The Test and Trace Payment is for people facing a reduction in income because they cannot work while self-isolating.

Local residents, who are eligible for a test and trace support payment, can apply here. Details on the support scheme can be downloaded below.

Test and trace support payment

You can find out additional information about the test and trace process on the NHS Test and Trace webpage.

Privacy notice for self isolation payment scheme

Privacy notice for self isolation payment scheme
Summary:
File Size: 450KB
Type: Files / Images
Created: 09 October 2020
Last Modified: 09 October 2020

If you receive a Self-Isolation Payment you must self-isolate. 

Please visit the NHS website for more details of the NHS Test and Trace self-isolation requirements for those:

  • testing positive and
  • those who have been in contact with someone who has tested positive and has now been told to self- isolate by NHS Test and Trace.