Test and Trace Support Payment scheme up and running

Braintree District Council’s scheme for Test and Trace Support Payment is entering its third week.

The government announced last month that low-income households who have received a notification from the NHS Test and Trace service to self-isolate from 28 September 2020, may be entitled to financial support. Local authorities were given until October 12 to ensure its systems were up and running and will backdate claims to 28 September.

Residents may be entitled to a one-off payment of £500 through the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme if they are required to stay at home and self-isolate.

Eligible Braintree District residents can apply by visiting www.braintree.gov.uk/coronavirus. People without internet access can call 01376 552525.

Councillor David Bebb, Cabinet Member for Finance & Performance Management at Braintree District Council said: “If you have symptoms of coronavirus, you should stay at home and self-isolate immediately to stop the spread of the virus and protect family, friends and your community. It’s vital that you play your part and follow the rules around self-isolation.

“If you’re asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace and you’re on a low income, unable to work from home and will lose income as a result, you may be entitled to a payment under the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme. I am pleased that as well as the government criteria we have been able to set up a discretionary scheme too to help more people.”

To be eligible to receive the self-isolation payment, residents must have received, and be complying with a notification from the NHS Test and Trace service to self-isolate, be employed or self-employed, and be unable to work from home and will lose income as a result. To be eligible, people also need to be receiving certain benefits.

Residents who meet all the other criteria other than being in receipt of benefits may qualify under Braintree District Council’s Test and Trace Support Payment discretionary scheme.

For the full eligibility criteria visit www.braintree.gov.uk/coronavirus and go to Test and Trace.

While the Government support scheme is due to run until the end of January 2021, the Braintree District Council discretionary scheme will end when the allocation received from the Government has been fully used. The £500 payment is subject to income tax, but not National Insurance contributions.

Residents do not qualify if they are quarantining after travelling abroad, continue to receive full wages while you self-isolate, can work from home during a period of self-isolation, have not received a notification from the NHS Test and Trace service requiring self-isolation or were notified to self-isolate before 28 September 2020.

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