People having to self-isolate due to Covid-19 may be eligible to a £500 payment if they are unable to work from home.

Who is eligible?  These are the people who meet all these criteria:

• Have been told to stay at homes and self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, either because they have tested positive for coronavirus or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive   
• Are employed or self-employed
• Are unable to work from home and will lose income as a result
• Are 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

Wokingham Borough Council is running a limited discretionary scheme for people who are not currently claiming any benefits but meet all the other criteria.

Wokingham Borough Council deputy leader and executive member for finance, Cllr John Kaiser said: “It is vital that people who are told to self-isolate do so – but that could leave some in financial difficulties so these payments are most welcome. Local authorities have been given the responsibility of running this offer and we want to make it as easy as possible for people to find if they are eligible and, if they are, to get the payments they need.”

How long will the scheme run for? 

The payments are available to those who have been self-isolating from 28 September – with back-payments available to those who are eligible since that date. It will run until 31 January 2021. For full details on how to apply for test and trace support, please visit the webpages here.