Central government announced the test and trace support payments scheme on 20 September 2020 and two further extensions to the scheme. The latest guidance extended the eligibility for a support payment to parents and guardians under either the main or discretionary support schemes described below.

In addition the scheme extension to the scheme extends the time-limit for retrospective applications, which is 42 days after an applicant’s first
day of self-isolation. Previously this was 28 days.

Central government are assessing whether the scheme has supported
people to self-isolate and incentivised testing. Ministers will then decide if the scheme should continue past 30 June 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.