Self isolation support payment

A payment scheme to help support those out of pocket because they are having to self-isolate is available from Wiltshire Council.

The council is urging eligible residents to apply for the Government's COVID-19 Test and Trace Support Payment scheme, after a high number of ineligible applications were received.

The council said that financial support is available for those on low incomes who are required to self-isolate due to COVID-19 and will lose money because they are unable to work, who may be eligible for a lump sum of £500.

So far, Wiltshire Council has had a total of 559 applications for the scheme, and 166 have been successful.

The council cannot accept applications made more than 14 days after the end of a person's self-isolation period.

Applicants must also have been given an NHS Test and Trace number and be in receipt of a qualifying welfare benefit to receive the payment. Benefit entitlement is checked by the council via Searchlight, the National Welfare Benefits database, during the process of the application.

For discretionary claims, where someone is not in receipt of welfare benefits, the person has to complete a standard means test, to help

More information on the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme is available at https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/benefits-test-and-trace.