COVID-19 Test and Trace Support Payments extended to end of September

August 9, 2021

The Test and Trace Support Payments (TTSP) scheme has now been extended until 30 September 2021.

First introduced last September, the government passed into law a national Test and Trace Support scheme whereby a payment of £500 will be available for eligible individuals.

The £500 payment is available for those who are advised by NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate but who are unable to work from home and will lose income as a result.

To qualify for a one-off £500 payment:

• You must have been asked to self-isolate by the NHS Test and Trace Service
• You must either be employed or self-employed
• You cannot work from home and will lose income as a result
• You have claimed at least one of the following benefits: Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, income-based jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit or Housing Benefit
• Make your claim within 42 from the start of isolation

If you do not receive one of the above benefits you could still receive a payment from the Council Discretionary Scheme

Cllr Cheryl Nevin, cabinet member for Adult Social Care & Health Integration, said: “These payments are designed to help ensure people who have tested positive for COVID-19 and their close contacts self-isolate for the required period to stop the onward spread of the virus.

“They are also designed to encourage individuals who are eligible for this payment to get tested if they have symptoms. This is important to help stop the transmission of COVID-19 and avoid further economic and societal restrictions.”

From 16 August 2021, people who are fully vaccinated and who are identified as contacts will no longer be required to self-isolate. Anyone under 18 who is a contact will also be exempt from self-isolation. 

More information about the self-isolation grant and application details are available on the council’s Test and Trace Support Payment pages.