Low paid workers who need to self isolate from today will be eligible for a new government grant.
The £500 is intended to offer financial support to workers who can not afford to self isolate for two weeks. It comes as the government raises fines to £10,000 for people who flout the 14-day isolation rules.
The government says 4 million people in the UK are eligible and 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.
To get the grant, you must have either tested positive for coronavirus or been told by the NHS Test and Trace that you have been in contact with someone who has and must self-isolate.
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In turn, this must must affect your income as you are unable to work from home.
The grant is likely to help low income workers, despite the £55 being less than the £700 earned over two weeks for a 25-year-old on minimum wage.
The payment is valid for anyone being told to self-isolate from 28th September though it's predicted payments will be delayed until 12th October.
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The scheme will be organised by local councils so you must get in touch with them to apply either by phone or online.
You will be required to give supporting evidence, such as a bank statement, notification from Test and Trace asking you to self-isolate (including a Unique ID number), proof of employment and confirmation from your employer that you are unable to work from home (if you are self-employed, you will need to give evidence of this).
It comes as the government announced those in England who refuse to self isolate if they test positive for coronavirus, or have been in close contact with someone who has, could be fined up to £10,000.
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The new measure will be introduced from 28th September, with fines beginning at £1,000 and rising to £10,000 for repeat offenders.
Featured Image Credit: ShutterstockTopics: Life News, News, Coronavirus