This report sets out the decision to implement a Test and Trace Discretionary Isolation Support Payment Scheme.
It is the decision of the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council that a Test and Trace Discretionary Isolation Support Payment Scheme in respect of residents meeting the following criteria is introduced:
have been told to stay at home and self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, either because they have tested positive for coronavirus or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive; and

are employed or self-employed; and
are unable to work from home and will lose income as a result; and
are 18yrs or over and a resident in the borough; and
are on a low income (as defined below) and will face financial
hardship as a result of not being able to work while they are in self-isolation; and

are not currently in receipt of Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, income-based Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit and/or Pension Credit;
And satisfy one of the following criteria:
No recourse to public funds; or
Have applied but not had an outcome from one of the benefits listed above; or
Have an outstanding appeal against a decision on one of the benefits listed above.
Low income is defined as 16 hrs at National Living Wage (£8.72) or below, this is equivalent to earnings of £139.52 per week or £604.59 per calendar month immediately prior to the self-isolation period.
Applications will only be accepted from those that have been told to self-isolate on or after 28 September 2020 and within 14 days of the date that their self-isolation period (as notified by NHS) ends.
Individuals in the same household can each make an application to receive a Test and Trace Discretionary Isolation Support Payment, if they each meet all the eligibility criteria in full.
An individual may make an application more than once but only:
they meet the eligibility criteria for each individual application; and
the periods of self-isolation do not overlap