Financial support for those that have to self-isolate

The government has announced a Test and Trace Support Payment to support people on low incomes who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are having to self-isolate.

Do I qualify?

To be eligible for this one-off payment you must:

• live in the New Forest District area
• have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace because you have tested positive for coronavirus or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive
• be employed or self-employed
• be unable to work from home and will lose income as a result, and
• be currently receiving, or are the partner of someone in the same household who is receiving, Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, income-based Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit and/or Pension Credit

From 8 March 2021 parents who are having to look after a child aged 15 and under (or 25 or under with an Education Health Care Plan) who has been identified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19 and has been told to stay at home by NHS or their education or childcare setting can apply.

If you meet the above eligibility criteria you will be entitled to a lump sum payment of £500. The payment will not reduce the amount of any of the above benefits.

Providing supporting information

You will have to supply supporting information including:

• your 8 character NHS Test and Trace unique ID number
• your national insurance number
• your bank statements
• your wage slips or proof of self-employment

• confirmation from your child's nursery or school that your child has to stay at home.

We will check the NHS Test and Trace system to confirm that you have been asked to self-isolate. You can apply up to two weeks after your period of self-isolation ends.

Discretionary support

If you do not receive one of the state benefits above, but meet all other criteria, and are on a low income below £20,000 per year and usually work more than 16 hours a week (unless your circumstances are exceptional), and your household will be in financial hardship as a result of having to self-isolate, you can apply for a discretionary payment of £500.  Please see the policy below for the eligibility criteria.

How to make your claim

To make your claim complete the online application below.  We will not be able to consider your application until you have provided all of the information.  

Apply for Test and Trace Support

If you need any help in making your claim please call 01590 646121 or email testandtrace@nfdc.gov.uk

These schemes are due to end on 30 June 2021. 

For full details of the schemes, download the documents below.

Test and Trace Support Payment Policy [298.69KB]

Test and Trace Discretionary Support Payment Policy [300.01KB]