Self Isolation Support Grants

From 12  October the Scottish Welfare Fund will be administering the Scottish Government Self Isolation Support Grants. 

The purpose of the grant is to assist people in receipt of low incomes to self-isolate to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This should support people to be able to afford to comply with the Test & Protect Service's requirement for them to self-isolate during the 10-day period. 

You may be eligible for a £500 payment if you meet the following criteria:

The purpose of the grant is to assist people that are working and in receipt of low incomes to self-isolate to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This should support people to be able to afford to comply with the Test & Protect Service's requirement for them to self-isolate during the 10-day period. 

You may be eligible for a £500 payment if meet the following criteria:

You are required to self-isolate at the request of NHS Test & Protect.

You have been notified by the Protect Scotland app (or equivalent app) to self-isolate.

You are  the identified appropriate parent or primary carer of a child under 16 who has been required to self-isolate.

You are the carer of a person over the age of 16 who is required to self-isolate.

AND

You make an application within 28 days of the day that you are requested to self-isolate.

AND

You must be employed or self-employed and it is not possible for you to work from home.

AND

Your income is reduced as a result of having to self-isolate e.g. you are receiving Statutory Sick Pay or no pay (people on furlough that are not receiving full pay will be considered as having a reduction in earnings).

AND

You are in receipt of means-tested Council Tax Reduction (not Single Person Discount), Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit; Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance; Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance; Income Support; Housing Benefit; and/or Pension Credit.

Your income is less than stated below for your circumstances:

Your Household	Your monthly household income (NET) is no greater than:	Your monthly individual income (GROSS) is no greater than:

Single with no children	£1,657.45	£1,543.75
Couple with no children	£2,024.65	£1,543.75
Single with one child	£2,920.56	£1,543.75
Couple with one child	£3,287.76	£1,543.75
Single with two children	£3,697.65	£1,543.75
Couple with two children	£4,064.85	£1,543.75
Single with three children	£4,662.76	£1,543.75
Couple with three children	£5,029.97	£1,543.75

If you meet the eligibility criteria for a grant will be paid £500 each, however only one claim per household can be made where a parent or primary carer is looking after a child under 16 who is required to isolate.

You will need to provide evidence as part of your application to verify your application

Evidence requirements:

Evidence that the Test & Protect Service has requested that you self-isolate,
Proof that you are in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits,
A bank statement,
Proof of employment/self-employment and that you cannot undertake your job/run your business without social contact or from home.
Proof that your pay/income will reduce as a result of having to self-isolate.

Apply for the self isolation support grant

I’m self-isolating after returning to the UK after being abroad, can I apply?

No, you are not eligible under this scheme. If you are experiencing financial hardship and are unable to meet your daily living expenses, you may be entitled to a Crisis Grant. Apply to the Scottish Welfare Fund or find out more.

I am self isolating because I have symptoms but I haven't been tested, can I apply?

No, part of the criteria for the grant is that you have been asked to self-isolate at the request of NHS Test & Protect, on or after 28th September. If you are experiencing financial hardship and are unable to meet your daily living expenses, you may be entitled to a Crisis Grant. Apply to the Scottish Welfare Fund or find out more.

Can I apply if I had to self isolate before 28 September?

No, if the Test & Protect Service requested that you self-isolate prior to 28th September you are not eligible. If you are experiencing financial hardship and are unable to meet your daily living expenses, you may be entitled to a Crisis Grant. Apply to the Scottish Welfare Fund or find out more.

How long will it take to process my application?

We aim to make a decision within three working days of receiving a fully complete application along with all supporting evidence. However, please note due to the increased number of applications currently being received it may take longer than normal to process.

When do applications open?

Applications will be open from on 12th October.

How long do I get to apply?

Applications can be made at any point during the 28 calendar day period of self-isolation period which commences on the date on which you were requested to self-isolate.

I’m not eligible, what other support is available to me?

If you are experiencing financial hardship and are unable to meet your daily living expenses, you may be entitled to a Crisis Grant. Apply to the Scottish Welfare Fund or find out more.

I’ve been asked to self isolate for the second time, I’ve already made one claim, can I apply again?

Individuals can claim more than once as long as they meet the eligibility criteria for each individual claim, including being asked by Test and Protect to self-isolate each time.

I am currently furloughed under the existing Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, can I still make a claim for a self isolation support grant?

Yes, as long as you meet all of the other eligibility requirements for the Self-Isolation Support Grant Scheme.

I am on sick leave from my work only receiving Statutory Sick Pay am I eligible for the self isolation support grant?

Yes, as long as you meet all of the other eligibility requirements for the Self-Isolation Support Grant Scheme.

Is this payment taxable?  

Yes the payment will be subject to income tax. It will not be subject to National Insurance contributions.  

What happens if I’m self-employed? 

The payment will be a coronavirus support payment and therefore a revenue receipt of your business, contributing towards your profits. The payment will need to be included on your Self Assessment Tax Return along with any other coronavirus support payments you may have received. 

What happens if I’m employed?

There is nothing you need to do. If your income for the year is not more than £12,500, you will not have any tax to pay. If tax is due, HMRC will automatically recover it from your pay through a change in your tax code. HMRC will send you a new tax code notice.  Contact HMRC for more information.

Can I receive the payment whilst in receipt of Statutory Sick Pay? 

Claimants can claim Statutory Sick Pay as well as a Test and Trace Support Payment, but not contractual sick pay from their employer. Employers can claim Statutory Sick Pay Reimbursement for those self-isolating. 

Does the payment impact existing benefit entitlements?

No, the payment does not affect existing entitlements to Universal Credit, Pension Credit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit. The payment will also be disregarded as income for the purposes of tax credits.

I have been notified by the Protect Scotland App to self-isolate.

If you have opted to share the self-isolation certificate with Aberdeen City Council and believe you may be eligible for the Self-Isolation Support Grant you need to make an application. You will still need to meet all of the other eligibility requirements for the Self-Isolation Support Grant Scheme.

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