How thousands of people in Derbyshire can get £500 for self-isolating from next week

People in Derbyshire who earn a low wage will be paid £500 from next week if they are forced to quarantine.
The Prime Minister said that he does not want to see a situation where people don’t feel they are financially able to self-isolate. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)The Prime Minister said that he does not want to see a situation where people don’t feel they are financially able to self-isolate. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
The Prime Minister said that he does not want to see a situation where people don’t feel they are financially able to self-isolate. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

A support payment of £500 will be given to those on lower incomes who cannot work from home and have lost income as a result of having to self-isolate, either because they have tested positive or have been in contact with a person who has coronavirus.

These payments announced by the government will only be available to those who have been asked to self-isolate by the NHS Test and Trace team and can be claimed from September, 28 onwards.

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This financial support comes as the government announced that from next week it will be a legal requirement for people to self-isolate when instructed to by NHS Test and Trace.

The Prime Minister said: “The best way we can fight this virus is by everyone following the rules and self-isolating if they’re at risk of passing on coronavirus. And so nobody underestimates just how important this is, new regulations will mean you are legally obliged to do so if you have the virus or have been asked to do so by NHS Test and Trace.

“And while most people are doing their absolute level best to comply with the rules, I don’t want to see a situation where people don’t feel they are financially able to self-isolate.

“That’s why we’re also introducing a new £500 Test and Trace Support payment for those on low incomes who are required by NHS Test and Trace to remain at home to help stop the spread of the virus.”

Who can get the £500 payment?

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It will be available to those who have been told to self-isolate by the NHS Test and Trace team.

People who 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.

Those who start to self-isolate from September 28 will receive backdated payments once the scheme is made active by their Local Authority.

How do you apply for the new payment?

The money can be claimed by contacting the local council, and four pieces of evidence must be provided, including:

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A notification from the NHS test and trace, which asks for you to self-isolate ( includes a unique ID number)

A bank statement;

Proof of employment at the company you work for;

and confirmation from an employer that you cannot work from home.

Tougher fines for those breaching self-isolation rules have also been introduced and will start at £1,000 – in line with the penalty for breaking quarantine after international travel - but could increase to up to £10,000 for repeat offences and for the most egregious breaches, including for those preventing others from self-isolating.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “People who choose to ignore the rules will face significant fines.

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“We need to do all we can to control the spread of this virus, to prevent the most vulnerable people from becoming infected, and to protect the NHS and save lives.”

For more information about the support package, visit www.gov.uk.