News Apply for a £500 Test and Trace Support Payment
For those on a low income who are told to self-isolate because of Covid-19 and who cannot work from home, might be able to get a single payment of £500 from Maidstone Borough Council.
The Council is supporting the government Test and Trace Support Payment scheme and is encouraging people who meet the criteria to apply online.
It is for anyone employed or self-employed on a low income and in receipt of certain benefits who has tested positive for Covid-19 or been in close contact with someone who has tested positive. They will need to be have had a reduction in income, be unable to work from home and have received a notification from the NHS to self-isolate. Partners of someone who have also been in touch with NHS Test and Trace and been told to self-isolate are also now able to claim.
Stephen McGinnes, MBC Mid Kent Services Director said:
“With cases of Covid-19 on the increase in Maidstone we all need to self-isolate if we are told to do so to help stop the onward spread of the virus. These payments of £500 are designed to encourage individuals who are eligible for this payment to get tested if they have symptoms and to make sure people who have tested positive and their close contacts, self-isolate for the required period.”
All applications must be made within 14 days of the end of a self-isolation period.
To apply, people need to complete an online self-isolation payment application form which will then be assessed for eligibility: maidstone.gov.uk/testandtracesupport
For more information about the scheme please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-package-to-support-and-enforce-self-isolation