Test And Trace Payment Scheme Extended

The government's Test and Trace Payment scheme has been extended until 31 March 2021. This means that if you live in the district of Folkestone & Hythe and you have received a notification from NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate you may be entitled to a payment of £500.

To qualify for this payment you must:

• Comply with the notification from NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate;
• Be employed or self-employed;
• Be unable to work from home and will lose income as a result;
• Be in receipt of one of the following benefits: Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Housing Benefit, Income Support, Income-based Job Seeker's Allowance or Pension Credit.

Central government has also awarded Folkestone & Hythe District Council limited further funding to administer its discretionary scheme for those that do not meet the criteria above.

To be considered for this payment, residents must 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.

To be considered you must:

• Be employed or self-employed;
• Be unable to work from home and will lose income as a result;
• Have less than £3,000 in capital and savings;
• Demonstrate exceptional financial hardship.

Cllr Tim Prater, F&HDC Cabinet Member for Revenues and Benefits, said:

"We know that self-isolating is hard and costly for many, but it is an essential way of stopping the spread of the virus.

"If you have been told to stay at home and self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, please do. If you meet the criteria for the support schemes, please apply.

"Although we have only been given a limited grant by government for the discretionary scheme, we will support as many people as we can with the money we have."

Further information and the application form can be found online: folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/coronavirus/testandtrace/payments