Government confirms circumstances in which those who have claimed but are not yet in receipt of a qualifying benefit can apply for an NHS Test and Trace self-isolation payment

Written answer in parliament confirms eligibility where claim for qualifying benefit has been approved, and it is no later than two weeks after the person's period of self-isolation period has ended

The government has confirmed that people can apply for an NHS Test and Trace self-isolation payment if their claim for a qualifying benefit has been approved, and it is no later than two weeks after their period of self-isolation period has ended.

Responding yesterday to a written question in parliament on whether the payment - for people on low incomes in areas with a high incidence of coronavirus (COVID-19) who need to self-isolate and are unable to work from home - is payable to those who have claimed but are not yet in receipt of universal credit, Department of Health and Social Care Minister Lord Bethell said -

'Someone who is not in receipt of any of the benefits listed in the eligibility criteria, but who applies for one or more of them after testing positive or being identified as a contact, can still apply for the new payment subsequently, provided:

• They have been approved for the benefit they have applied for by the time they apply for the self-isolation payment; and
• They apply for the self-isolation payment no later than two weeks after their period of self-isolation ended.'

Lord Bethell's written answer is available from parliament.uk