Test and Trace Payments

TVBC have asked us to advertise the following:

From 28 September 2020, individuals will be entitled to a Test and Trace Support Payment of £500 if they:

1. Have been told to stay at home 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.
2. Live within the Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) area
3. Are employed or self-employed
4. Are unable to work from home and will lose income as a result
5. Are currently receiving one of the following benefits: Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, income-based Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit and/or Pension Credit.

The Council will also be able to make a discretionary £500 lump sum payment in exceptional circumstances to an individual who meets the main qualifying criteria for the Test and Trace Support Payment (i.e. they are a low-income worker who is unable to work because they are self-isolating) but is not in receipt of qualifying benefits and could suffer financial hardship as a result of not being able to work, providing they have a minimum income of £80 per week

For the purposes of this scheme a low income is defined as less than

• £384.62 per week (£20,000 a year) joint income if you’re in a couple
• £384.62 per week (£20,000 a year) if you’re a single parent and your children live with you
• £257.69 per week (£13,400 a year) if you’re a single adult

This payment is designed to support people on low incomes, if they will lose income as a result of self-isolating, and to encourage them to get tested if they have symptoms. This is important to help stop the transmission of COVID-19 and avoid further economic and societal restrictions.

The scheme will last until 31 January 2021.

These payments are available from 28 September 2020. Someone told to self-isolate on or after 28 September (but before the scheme is operational in TVBC) will be able to make a backdated claim for payment.

TO CLAIM PLEASE FOLLOW THE LINK:

https://www.testvalley.gov.uk/benefitsandcounciltax/test-trace-support-payment-covid-19