New £500 Test and Trace support payment

24 September 2020

The government has announced a new package to support and enforce self-isolation. From 28 September, people will be required by law to self-isolate if they test positive or are contacted by Test and Trace. To ensure that people on lower incomes are able to self-isolate without worry about their finances, people in receipt of benefits will be eligible for a new Test and Trace support payment of £500.

People will be able to apply for the new support payment if they currently receive:

Universal Credit.
Working Tax Credit.
Income-based Employment and Support Allowance.
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Income Support.
Housing Benefit.
Pension Credit.

Local authorities are working to set up these self-isolation support schemes and they are expected to be in place by 12 October. Those who start to self-isolate from 28 September will receive backdated payments once the scheme is set up in their local authority.

New £500 Test and Trace support payment

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