The Scottish Government has committed to providing a Self-Isolation Support Grant to workers who earn less than the Real Living Wage or are in receipt of a low-income benefit, and who will experience reduced earnings as a result of them, their child or the person they are caring for being required to self-isolate or advised to stay at home to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
This will support people who would otherwise struggle to be able to afford to comply with the requirement to self-isolate or stay at home. It will provide them with the financial support they need to meet their basic needs during the period in which they are unable to work.
From 1st May 2022, you MUST have a positive PCR test result to apply.
For the period from 18th October 2022 applicants who meet the eligibility criteria will receive an award of £250.
In addition, prior to the self-isolation period or the period you are advised to stay at home, you must meet the following criteria:
- are employed or self-employed, and
- are unable to work from home and will experience reduced earnings as a result; and
- are assessed as having a low income, either
- your household is currently receiving, or has been awarded but not yet received a payment of the following benefits, or whose income is such that you would ordinarily be entitled to Universal Credit should an application have been made prior to their isolation:
- Universal Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income Support
- Housing Benefit
- Pension Credit and/or
- Means tested Council Tax Reduction, or
- your household is currently receiving, or has been awarded but not yet received a payment of the following benefits, or whose income is such that you would ordinarily be entitled to Universal Credit should an application have been made prior to their isolation:
- are an individual who earns less than the Real Living Wage threshold as detailed in the Ready Reckoner table provided by the Scottish Government for this purpose; or
- your household income is such that it falls within the agreed definition of ‘low income’ for this purpose for their household type in their local authority area, being 25% above the UC level, and including the temporary coronavirus £20 per week increase in the UC Standard Allowance. As detailed in the Ready Reckoner table provided by the Scottish Government for this purpose.
Evidence will be required to support your application, including proof of low income if you are not in receipt of a qualifying benefit, a bank statement, and proof of employment/self-employment. Without this evidence, we cannot award you a grant.
Payment will be made directly to your bank account.
Self-isolation payments are taxable. If you’re employed, you’ll pay tax on the payment if you go over your tax-free personal allowance. Your tax code will change to collect the tax. You will not pay National Insurance contributions on the payment. If you’re self-employed, you must report the payment on your Self-Assessment tax return.
You may also be eligible for the grant if you are on a low income and have no recourse to public funds. Although the Scottish Welfare Fund cannot normally be accessed by people with no recourse to public funds, we may be able to make a discretionary payment to people in this situation under Public Health legislation.
If you do not meet the qualifying criteria you may be eligible to apply for a Crisis Grant. This grant is designed to help people on low incomes who find themselves in a financial crisis situation. You can find out more information and apply here.
We cannot process your application unless you agree for the Test and Protect Service to share your details with us. They will ask you to reply to a text to do this or you can phone 0800 030 8012. Once agreed, it can take 48 hours to get to us.
From 1st May 2022, the number of awards that any person can receive is limited to three in any rolling 12-month period.
TO APPLY – CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO START THE PROCESS.
Eligibility for the grant is restricted. You MUST check if you qualify before applying for the grant:
https://www.mygov.scot/self-isolation-grant/check-if-you-qualify-and-how-to-apply
Alternatively, you can apply by phone on 0300 555 0265 between 9.00 am – 2.30 pm. You should have completed the eligibility checker and have a positive PCR test result before phoning.