Apply for a Test and Trace Support Payment

You may be able to claim £500 if you need to stay at home to self-isolate and are on a low income.

You need to claim within 42 days of you or your child’s first day of self-isolation.

From 16 August 2021, people who are fully vaccinated are not required to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for Covid-19. These people cannot claim the Test and Trace Support payment.

Who can claim

There are two schemes as part of the Test and Trace Support Payment.

Eligibility for the main scheme payments

To receive the Test and Trace Support Payment, you must meet all the following criteria:

• Have been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace or the NHS COVID-19 app because you have tested positive for COVID-19
  Or
  You are not fully vaccinated and have been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace or the NHS Covid-19 app because you have been identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive
  Or
  You are a parent or guardian of a child who has been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace and you need to take time off to look after them. GOV.UK have more information for parents/guardians of a child who needs to self-isolate.
• Have responded to a message from NHS Test and Trace and have provided any legally required information, such as details of your close recent contacts
• Be employed or self-employed
• Be losing income because you are unable to work from home
• Be currently receiving one or more of the following benefits:
  • Universal Credit
  • Working Tax Credit
  • Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income Support
  • Housing Benefit
  • Pension Credit

Eligibility for discretionary payments (secondary scheme)

To receive the discretionary payment, you must meet all the following criteria:

• Have been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace or the NHS COVID-19 app because you have tested positive for COVID-19
  Or
  You are not fully vaccinated and have been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace or the NHS Covid-19 app because you have been identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive
  Or
  You are a parent or guardian of a child who has been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace and you need to take time off to look after them. GOV.UK have more information for parents/guardians of a child who needs to self-isolate.
• Have responded to a message from NHS Test and Trace and have provided any legally required information, such as details of your close recent contacts
• Be employed or self-employed
• Be losing income because you are unable to work from home (and be able to evidence this)
• Have household capital (savings) of less than £3,000
• Have household gross earnings of less than The Minimum Income Standards earnings level which are currently:
  • £37,400 for a family
  • £26,000 for a couple with no children
  • £19,200 for a single person

Income proof will be required upon application.

How to apply

You must complete our online form to apply.

You will need:

• A notification from NHS Test and Trace asking you to self-isolate (including the unique 8-character account ID) – you can also tick the box to say that you are awaiting the reference on the form or a letter from your child's school or childcare provider
• Proof that you receive one of the benefits listed above
• A bank statement, and/or
• Proof of employment – like a recent payslip. Self-employed applicants should provide evidence of self-assessment returns, trading income and being unable to work from home.

Apply now

Your application will be assessed by your District council – find out who your District council is and how to contact them.