Less than 25% of Hartlepool Test and Trace payment applications have been paid out - as council says it has spent over Government funding

Less than a quarter of the almost-500 Hartlepool residents who have applied for the Test and Trace payments have been paid the £500 grant, figures have shown.

As of December 10, the council had received 497 applications, with 115 paid out and 310 rejected under standard criteria.

Of those rejected, only 38 have been paid under the discretionary scheme – with additional criteria set by the council.

A total of 272 applications have received no payout at all and 72 applications are currently being assessed.

Funding was allocated to local authorities by the Government for the scheme which is set to run from September 28 until January 31.

But now, with six weeks of the scheme left to run, Hartlepool Borough Council have confirmed they have spent over their allotted allowance of funding from the Government.

This is despite just 115 payments being made during a ten-week period when more than 3,000 people tested positive in the town.

The scheme which was announced by the government earlier in the year allows those who have been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace to claim a one-off payment of £500 to cover a loss of earnings over the isolation period, providing they claim certain benefits.

For those who do not claim income support or credit, local authorities have the ability to offer discretionary payments for those going through “financial hardship” who are employed or self-employed – however councils can set additional criteria.

Hartlepool Borough Council’s criteria for the discretionary scheme is as follows:

- Applicants will have to demonstrate financial hardship, for example being unable to pay essential household bills such as rent, mortgage, heating and food as well as,

- having capital of less than £3,000,

- and be a “low income” household.

All of the criteria is set out on the council’s website and eligible residents in Hartlepool are encouraged to apply for the payment by clicking here.

Hartlepool Borough Council has acknowledged that the scheme has been ‘difficult’ to roll-out but said it remains committed to supporting Hartlepool residents throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

A council spokesperson said: “The scheme has been challenging to implement, however we have worked hard to implement it as quickly as possible to get support to people.

“Recent national changes in the system should help make it easier for people to see if they are eligible for support.

"The Council has exceeded the funds for the standard element, however, the Government has committed to meeting the costs of this element of the scheme and as such we expect to receive a reconciliation payment for any shortfall.

“It is possible that the Council will exceed the discretionary funding.

“No additional funding will be received from the Government for this element, however the Council is committed to continuing this support until the scheme ends on the 31 January."

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