Self Isolation Support Grant

The grant closed to new applicants on 5 January 2023

If you booked a PCR test through the SISG portal on or before the 5th January 2023, you can apply for the grant up to 28 days from your positive PCR test result

If you received an inconclusive or void result, you need to book another test. To do this, phone the National Contact Centre on 0800 030 8012

If you’re eligible for the grant and were unable to apply within 28 days from your positive PCR test result, we may be able to consider your application; however this is only if you were unable to apply within the 28 days because of something that you could not control.

The following information about the grant only applies if you asked for a PCR testing kit on or before 5 January 2023.

The Scottish Welfare Fund are administering the Scottish Government Self Isolation Support Grant.

The grant will help people in receipt of low paid employment or self- employment who will suffer a loss of earned income as a result of them or their child or the person they care for receiving a positive PCR test for COVID 19.

Who can apply for a Self-Isolation Grant?

Eligibility for a payment is restricted to people who have received a public health request by the Test and Protect Service to self-isolate as a result of a positive PCR test for COVID-19 and have agreed that the Test and Protect Service can share their data with Moray Council. To allow Test and Protect to share your details with us you can either:

  • Phone the national helpline on 0800 030 8012 - tell them that you agree Test and Protect can share your details with Moray Council.
  • Reply to a Test and Protect text message with your postcode - they'll text back asking you to agree to share your details with Moray council.

 

To check if you meet the self-isolation criteria for the grant please check: 

https://www.mygov.scot/self-isolation-grant

From the 1st May eligibility for Self Isolation Support Grant will change.

From 1 May 2022 you may be eligible if:

You have a confirmed positive PCR test result; or

You are a parent or carer of a person under 16 years old who had a positive PCR test result or

You are the carer of an adult over 16 years old who has had a confirmed positive PCR test result.

From 1st May 2022 applicants can only receive a maximum of 3 Self Isolation Support Grants in any 12 month period.

From 18th October 2022 the Self Isolation Support Grant will be £250.00.

Applications for periods of isolation prior to 1st May 2022 can now only be considered in exceptional circumstances.

In addition you must meet all of the following criteria:

  • You are aged 16 or over and are resident in Moray; and
  • You are employed or self-employed and it is not possible for you to work from home; and
  • Your earned income will be reduced as a result of you, your child or the person you are caring for self-isolating e.g. you will only receive Statutory Sick Pay or no pay; and
  • You are assessed as being on a low income prior to self-isolating either because
    • You are currently receiving (or have been awarded but have not yet received a payment of) Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Income-based Employment and Support Allowance, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit, Pension Credit or Council Tax Reduction; or
    • you earn less than the Real Living Wage; or
    • your household income meets the low income threshold set for Moray by Scottish Government. Further information on the low income thresholds is available at https://www.mygov.scot/self-isolation-grant 

People subject to Immigration Control with No Recourse to Public Funds are not excluded from applying for this grant.

To check if you might be eligible visit https://www.mygov.scot/self-isolation-grant

What evidence will I need to provide to support an application?

  • A recent bank statement
  • Proof of employment such as your last monthly or 5 weekly wage slip(s) prior to self-isolation or contract of employment, or if you are self-employed evidence of self-assessment returns, trading income, business bank account and that you cannot undertake your job/run your business from home.
  • Proof of your household income if you are not in receipt of a low income benefit or earn more than the Real Living Wage.

You will also need to have agreed to the Test and Protect Service sharing your information with Moray Council.

To allow Test and Protect to share your details with us you can either:

  • Phone the national helpline on 0800 030 8012 - tell them that you agree Test and Protect can share your details with Moray Council.
  • Reply to a Test and Protect text message with your postcode - they'll text back asking you to agree to share your details with Moray council.

We will check that you are receiving Universal Credit or other qualifying benefit.

We will also check with our Education Department or Incident Management Team if you are the appropriate person to make a claim for a grant.

A grant cannot be paid if:

  • You were not in receipt of a low income benefit, earned more than the Real Living Wage or your household income exceeded the low income threshold set for Moray by Scottish Government in the month prior to your isolation started. Further information on the low income thresholds is available at https://www.mygov.scot/self-isolation-grant
  • You have not agreed for your self-isolation data, including your case status and vaccination status, to be shared with Moray Council
  • You, your child or the person you care for has tested negative following a PCR test
  • You, your child or the person you care for has tested positive following a LFD test
  • You, your child or the person you care for are fully vaccinated or are treated as fully vaccinated for Coronavirus and are awaiting the result of a PCR test
  • You, your child or the person you care for under the age of 16 years are fully vaccinated or are treated as fully vaccinated and are a close contact of someone who has tested positive
  • You, your child, or the person you care for have had Covid 19 in the last 28 days and are identified as a contact of someone who has tested positive.  
  • You, your child or the person you care for have not been told by the Test and Protect Service, Protect Scotland app or Incident Management Team to self-isolate.
  • You are off work awaiting a PCR test result
  • You are self-isolating because you have just returned to Scotland after a trip abroad. You do not qualify whilst you are awaiting a PCR test result or if you test negative.
  • You are not employed or self-employed.
  • You are able to work from home
  • You will not experience reduced earnings as a result of you, your child or the person you care for being required to self-isolate

How do I apply?

Applications can be made at any point during the 28 calendar days from the day you, your child or the person you care for is told to self-isolate. If you delay making an application you may not qualify unless you have a good reason for applying late. Your financial need must also be current at the time you apply.

It is important that you agree to the Test and Protect Service sharing your data with Moray Council.

Alternatively you can apply by phoning 01343 563958.

Before applying check if you might be eligible by visiting https://www.mygov.scot/self-isolation-grant

If you have received an alert from the Protect Scotland app requiring you to self-isolate and wish to apply for a grant click on the link ‘Send a Certificate’ in the alert. You will then be taken to a form. The form tells you about the grant and allows you to check if you are eligible. If you are tick the box and enter your postcode. We will then be sent a certificate to support a grant application. Please note you still need to make a grant application by phoning 01343 563958.

How we use your personal information

Our Privacy Notice tells you how we use the personal data you provide in a Self- Isolation Support Grant application.

For any queries or concerns about how your personal data is being processed you can contact the Data Protection Officer at info@moray.gov.uk or 01343 562633. You can also consult the information available at the Information Commissioner's website: ico.org.uk

If your application is successful

If you meet all the eligibility criteria you will receive a grant of £500 which will be paid into your bank account. In cases where a child or a person being cared for is required to isolate, payment can only be made to one person.

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.

What help is available if I am not eligible for a self-isolation grant?

  • If you are in immediate financial crisis you may be entitled to a Crisis Grant.
  • You may be entitled to New Style Employment Support Allowance.
  • The council’s Money Advice Moray service can give free and confidential help if you are facing money or debt problems. To make an appointment call 0300 123 4563.
  • Check out our Coronavirus – what you need to know page

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