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Money & Benefits Advice

Updated 21st October 2021

Read information about Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction

Customers worried about making rent or Council Tax payments should make a claim for Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Reduction. Please complete an application form for Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Reduction

Customers who receive Housing Benefit or Universal Credit (Housing Element), can ask for extra help with their rent by requesting a Discretionary Housing Payment. Please complete an application form for a Discretionary Housing Payment

Self-Isolation Support Payments

Are you on a low income and unable to work, because you have been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace?

You may be eligible for a lump sum payment of £500.

This is part of the government’s Test and Trace Support Payment scheme.

Who will be eligible?

To be eligible you must:

have been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace because you have tested positive for COVID-19 or have recently been in close contact with someone who has, and are not exempt from self-isolation; and
have responded to messages from NHS Test and Trace and have provided any legally required information, such as details of close contacts; and
be employed or self-employed and
be unable to work from home and will lose income as a result of self-isolating.

You also need to be in receipt of one of the following benefits:

Universal Credit (UC)
Working Tax Credit
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
Income Support
Housing Benefit
Pension Credit

A parent or guardian of a young person who is required to self-isolate may be eligible for a payment if they live in England and meet the following criteria (even if they are exempt from self-isolating):

They are the parent or guardian of a young person in the same household who is self-isolating and need to take time off work to care for them;

be unable to work from home while undertaking caring responsibilities and will lose income as a result, and
the young person is:
aged 15 or under and has been told to stay at home and self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace because they have tested positive for COVID -19; or
aged 25 or under with an Educational, Health and Care (EHC) Plan and been told to stay at home and self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace because they have tested positive for COVID-19; or
aged 25 and under, is not exempt from self-isolation from 16 August, has an EHC Plan and has been notified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19 (by NHS Test and Trace or the NHS COVID-19 app); or
self-isolating because there was an outbreak at their educational or childcare setting, and they have been sent home by their local public health team.
The young person normally attends an education or care setting; and
The parent or guardian meets all the other criteria for a ‘main’ payment.

Discretionary Fund Payment

The government has also provided limited funding for discretionary awards to be made if you do not meet the criteria for a 'main' scheme payment.

Discretionary Support Payment Guide

To be eligible for a discretionary fund payment you must:

have been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace because you have tested positive for COVID-19 or have recently been in close contact with someone who has and are not exempt from self-isolation; and
have responded to messages from NHS Test and Trace and have provided any legally required information, such as details of close contacts; and
be employed or self-employed
be unable to work from home
(will) lose income as a result of undertaking self-isolation

Providing you are:

not currently receiving UC, Working Tax Credit, income-based Job Seekers Allowance or income-based Employment Support Allowance or income-based Employment Support Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit and/or Pension Credit

A parent or guardian of a young person who is required to self-isolate may be eligible for a discretionary payment if they live in England and meet the following criteria (even if they are exempt from self-isolating):

They are the parent or guardian of a young person in the same household who is self-isolating and need to take time off work to care for them;

be unable to work from home while undertaking caring responsibilities and will lose income as a result, and
the young person is:
aged 15 or under and has been told to stay at home and self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace because they have tested positive for COVID -19; or
aged 25 or under with an Educational, Health and Care (EHC) Plan and been told to stay at home and self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace because they have tested positive for COVID-19; or
aged 25 and under, is not exempt from self-isolation from 16 August, has an EHC Plan and has been notified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19 (by NHS Test and Trace or the NHS COVID-19 app); or
self-isolating because there was an outbreak at their educational or childcare setting, and they have been sent home by their local public health team.
The young person normally attends an education or care setting; and
The parent or guardian meets all the other criteria for a ‘discretionary’ scheme payment.

How to apply

To apply for a self-isolation support payment, please complete the online application form.

Apply for a self-isolation support payment if you live in Babergh district

Apply for a self-isolation support payment if you live in Mid Suffolk district

Eligible individuals can make a claim up to 42 days after the first day of their self-isolation period. Applications will not be accepted after this point.

What evidence will I need to provide when making an application?

You will need to provide us with the following supporting evidence:

a notification from NHS Test and Trace asking you to self-isolate (this will include a Unique eight digit ID number)
a recent bank statement
proof of employment or if you are self-employed, evidence of self-assessment returns, trading income and proof that your business delivers services which cannot be carried out without social contact
proof that you lost income due to having to stay at home

If you are staying at home to look after a child or young person you will also need to provide either;

The child’s eight digit NHS Test and Trace ID number. This is for parents and guardians of children or young people who have had received a notification directly from NHS Test and Trace telling them to self-isolate.
OR
A communication from the child’s or young person’s school or care setting confirming that they have to self-isolate. This is for parents and guardians of children or young people who have been told to self-isolate by their school or childcare setting because they have been identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive.
OR
A screenshot of a young person’s NHS COVID-19 App notification telling them to self-isolate AND evidence that the young person has an Education, Health and Care Plan. This is for parents and guardians of young people aged 16-25 who have additional support needs and who have been notified to self-isolate by the NHS COVID-19 App.

What other information will I need when making an application?

Before you make an application make sure you have the following information:

your National Insurance (NI) number
your full name
your date of birth
your contact telephone numbers including a working mobile number
full names, dates of birth and NI numbers for everyone living in your household
your current full address and postcode
details of benefits you receive and how much you get
details of your employment
your unique ID number as provided by the NHS Test & Trace
If you are claiming because your child has to self-isolate details of your child’s school or care setting, name, address, and contact details

How will payments be made?

Payments will be made by bank transfer to the bank account matching the bank statement provided as part of your proof of eligibility.

Will these payments be taxed?

These payments will be subject to income tax. They will not be subject to NI contributions.

How long will this be in place for?

The scheme will run until 31 March 2022. During this time, the government will continue to review the scheme.

How many times can I apply?

A claim can be made for each period of self-isolation required. All eligibility criteria must be met and supporting evidence provided.

The self-isolation period for which you are claiming cannot overlap with a previous self-isolation period.

How quickly will I receive the payment?

Within 3 working days of the evidence being verified by our team.

Can a bank take housing benefit to pay my overdraft?

No, banks are not allowed to use housing benefit or any other benefit to repay an overdraft.

Can I apply if I’ve got a notification to self-isolate from the APP?

Yes, but first you will need to register with NHS Test & Trace by following a link in the APP. You must do this whilst you are in your isolation period. If you are struggling with the APP, take a look at the NHS guidance video or call NHS 119.

Further help available

Whether you meet the criteria or not set by the government, there is help available for those facing financial difficulty or needing support.

The Suffolk Support and Advice Service helps people across the county access information or support relating to debt, benefits, housing or employment.

You can contact the service on 0800 068 3131 between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. You can also visit Suffolk Support and Advice Service's website

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