Apply for a Test and Trace Support Payment - Discretionary Applications

If your normal weekly pay after tax and national insurance deductions exceeds £250.00 then you are not entitled to a discretionary NHS Test and Trace Isolation Payment.

You might be able to get a payment of £500 if either:

• • you have been told to self-isolate because of coronavirus (COVID-19) and you cannot work from home
• • you’re the parent or guardian of a child who has been told to self-isolate and you need to take time off to look after them

You must be employed or self-employed to get the payment.

You need to claim within 42 days of you or your child’s first day of self-isolation.
If you’re employed, you’ll pay tax on the payment if you go over your tax-free personal allowance. Your tax code will change to collect the tax. You will not pay National Insurance contributions on the payment. If you’re self-employed you must report the payment on your Self Assessment tax return.

If you’re usually working and get benefits

If you’ve been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace or the NHS COVID-19 app, you can apply for the payment if you’ll lose income because you cannot work from home.

• • have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace either because you’ve tested positive for coronavirus or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive and;
• • be employed or self-employed and;
• • be unable to work from home and will lose income as a result; and
• • 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.

If you’re the parent or guardian of a child who needs to self-isolate

You might be able to get the payment if you need to take time off to look after them. They must:

• • be 15 or under, or 25 or under if they have an Education, Health and Care plan (EHC)
• • live with you
• • normally be at school or in childcare
• • have been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace or their school or childcare provider

You’ll need to meet the other eligibility criteria. You’ll need evidence that your child has been told to self-isolate.

You will need to upload the following information to complete this form:

If you do not supply all requested information with your application then your application will be unsuccessful. There is no right of appeal against a decision relating to a self-isolation payment. If your application is rejected but you believe you should be entitled to a payment, you will need to submit a new application ensuring that on the next occasion all evidence is included to establish your entitlement.

• • If you’re usually working and get benefits - a notification email/text from the NHS Test and Trace Service asking you to self-isolate (this should include a Unique account ID number made up of 8 letters and numbers or just numbers); OR
  If you’re the parent or guardian of a child who needs to self-isolate - evidence that your child has been told to self-isolate;
• • a bank statement showing your account name, account number and sort code;
• • proof of employment such as a wageslip, 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 working from home. All proof provided must clearly show your name.

If you are claiming this payment because a child/ young person you are responsible for isolating because their school/care provider has told them to do so, please be aware that we will confirm this directly with the school/care provider using the details provided by you. You must still upload the supporting information when requested through this application.

For your application to be accepted:

• • If you’re usually working and get benefits - you must make an application within 42 days of your isolation period starting; OR
  If you’re the parent or guardian of a child who needs to self-isolate - you need to claim within 42 days of you or your child’s first day of self-isolation.
• • you can only make one successful application per insolation period;

If you do not receive any of the above benefits and wish to apply for a discretionary payment, please use this form.