Could you qualify for a £500 low income self-isolation grant? Here's the criteria for Hartlepool residents

The Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme is being administered locally by Hartlepool Borough Council and provides a £500 lump sum to those eligible.

It runs until the end of January 2021 and follows a Government announcement last month that anyone who testing positive for Covid-19 or who is identified by NHS Test and Trace as a close contact of someone who has tested positive, has a legal duty to self-isolate.

To be eligible for support, a person must also:

Be employed or self-employed. Be unable to work from home and will lose income as a result of self-isolation. Receive Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Income-based Employment and Support Allowance, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit and/or Pension Credit.

Payments are subject to income tax but not National Insurance contributions, and they will not be taken into account for benefit purposes.

People are not eligible if they:

Are quarantining after travelling abroad (unless they test positive during the 14-day quarantine period). Continue to receive full wages whilst self-isolating. Can work from home while self-isolating. Have not received a notification from NHS Test and Trace telling them to self-isolate Are university students and those in higher education.

Initially, applications can be back-dated to the scheme launch date of Monday, September 28, and supporting information will be needed.

Going forward, claims made more than 14 days after the last day of isolation, as shown by the NHS Test and Trace communication, will not be accepted.

Verified applications will be paid within three working days of receipt of a complete application.

Discretionary support payments may also be available to people who do not meet all of the criteria for the main Test and Trace Support Payments Scheme.

Applicants who do not receive any of the qualifying benefits but who do meet all of the other criteria may be considered if they can show they will suffer hardship and meet additional criteria requirements.

Hartlepool residents can apply to the Test and Trace Support Scheme at www.hartlepool.gov.uk/testandtracepayment.

Further information can be found at www.hartlepool.gov.uk/test-and-trace-support-payments-info, emailing [email protected] or by calling (01429) 284188.

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