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People on low incomes who have been told to self-isolate are now able to apply for a £500 payment after a Welsh Government scheme opened for applications.

People who are unable to work from home and are claiming Universal Credit, or other specified benefits, are eligible for the payment if they catch Covid-19 or are asked to self-isolate by contact tracers.

However, people who don’t meet the exact criteria but would still face financial hardship as a result of having to self-isolate could be eligible to receive a £500 discretionary payment.

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

The scheme was first announced by First Minister Mark Drakeford in a Welsh Government coronavirus briefing on October 30.

Mr Drakeford said “The self-isolation scheme will help anyone who faces the choice of staying at home and not being able to feed their family or going to work and potentially spreading coronavirus. This is a difficult decision which no one should have to make.

“Our first line of defence against the virus is each one of us. This payment will help everyone to play their part in the national effort we need to respond to this pandemic.”

Meanwhile, Welsh Health Minister Vaughan Gething recently announced an extra £15.7m will be pumped into contact tracing in Wales, with the aim of nearly doubling the number of contact tracers from from 1,800 to 3,100.

To apply for the payment, visit obv.sr/sisp