Assessing low income for purposes of self-isolation support grant in Scotland

Scottish Government updates guidance to confirm that eligibility assessment will continue to compare income to universal credit rates as they were prior to removal of the £20 uplift

The Scottish Government has updated its guidance in relation to assessing low income for the purposes of the self-isolation support grant (SISG).

The SISGs are designed to help ensure people on benefits or low incomes who have tested positive for Covid-19, or who are a close contact of someone who has tested positive, self-isolate for the required period to stop the onward spread of the virus.

For the purposes of the grant, the Scottish Government's definition of 'low income' is being 25 per cent above the established universal credit rate for a person's household type in their local authority area. However, following the UK Government's withdrawal of the £20 uplift to universal credit, the SISG guidance has been updated to advise - 

'Please be aware that on the 6 October 2021 the UK Government [withdrew] the £20 per week top up to universal credit. The Scottish Government has decided for the purpose of the SISG the low income rates will remain the same.'

The updated guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): Test and Protect is available from gov.scot