Financial support for people on low incomes told to self-isolate

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People who have been told to self-isolate will be eligible for financial support, Welsh Government has confirmed.

Two new Welsh Government schemes were announced on Friday (October 30).

The schemes will see people on low incomes receive £500 if they test positive for coronavirus or are asked to self-isolate by contact tracers.

People who are unable to work from home and are claiming Universal Credit are eligible for the payment.

Claims can be made through Caerphilly County Borough Council’s website and can be backdated to October 23.

Meanwhile, social care workers will receive a top-up payment to bring their statutory sick pay in line with their normal wages, if they are forced to take time off to self-isolate.

This scheme will run from November 1 until March 31.

Welsh Government has set aside £32m to fund the schemes.

Speaking at Welsh Government’s daily coronavirus press briefing on Friday (October 30), Mr Drakeford also confirmed there would be a legal requirement for people to self-isolate if told to do so.

This means it will become an offence to give false information to contact tracers in Wales.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “The pandemic has had a huge impact on everyone and we have asked people to sacrifice so much this year, including during this latest firebreak. We are committed to doing everything we can to support people and protect people’s health and wellbeing.

“Asking people to self-isolate is an important way to break the transmission of the virus but for many people it can mean the loss of income.  

“We all have a responsibility to protect our own health and our loved ones’ too but we know just how difficult that can be when faced with a choice between staying at home and not being able being able to feed your family or going to work.”

The First Minister added: “These new support schemes are targeted towards people on low incomes and are designed to relieve some of the financial pressures people face if they are asked to self-isolate.”