Central government announced the test and trace support payments scheme on 20 September 2020 and an extension to the scheme was announced on 11 January 2021.

Central government is providing further funding for Test and Trace Support Payments of a £500 lump sum payment for employed people on low incomes who are unable to work while they are self-isolating because they cannot work from home.

To be eligible for the Test and Trace Support Payment, an individual must:

? have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace either because they’ve 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 Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, income-based Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit and/or Pension Credit.

To be eligible for a discretionary Test and Trace Support Payment, an individual must:
? have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace either because they’ve tested positive for coronavirus or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive;
? be employed or self-employed and earn up to £400 a week;
? be unable to work from home and will lose at least 50% of earned income as a result; and
? have less than £3,000 in savings.

Herefordshire Council will verify eligibility, process applications and make payments.