Parents on low income or claiming benefits could receive £500 if their child is unable to attend school if someone in their class or year group bubble has tested positive for Covid-19.
The government grant, which is known as the Test and Trace Support Payment, was introduced last year to support low paid workers who cannot afford to self-isolate away from work for two weeks. The help is usually distributed through local councils.
Money saving expert Martin Lewis has urged parents to check if they are eligible to receive the payment. If their child has been told to stay at home rather than attend school because someone in their class has tested positive and their parent must stay at home and miss work to look after them, for example.
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In a tweet posted on Monday morning, Martin asked parents to "spread the word" to help other affected parents who may be in need.
"Many children are being sent home by school due to someone in class / year group bubble testing [positive] for Covid," he said.
"If so, and you can't work due to needing to be home with them, this (not just NHS test & trace) can trigger the £500 payment for those on low incomes."
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You can claim the grant if you are already claiming Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, income-based Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit and/or Pension Credit.
The guidance says on the government's website states: "You may be eligible if you are employed or self-employed, cannot work from home, and will lose income as a result.
"You can only apply if you've been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, notified to self-isolate by the NHS COVID-19 app, or you're the parent or guardian of a child who has been told to self-isolate."
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You can check to see if you're eligible here.
Featured Image Credit: ITV/ShutterstockTopics: Life News, lockdown, News, Life, Coronavirus, Parenting