Scottish Government announces new £500 Self-Isolation Support Grant for people on low incomes who are required to self-isolate

Grant will ensure people do not experience financial hardship as a result of doing the right thing, says Social Security Secretary

The Scottish Government has announced a new £500 Self-Isolation Support Grant for people on low incomes who are required to self-isolate due to the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Introducing the new grant today, the Scottish Government says that it is for those who will face financial hardship due to being asked to self-isolate, and that it will be targeted at people who are in receipt of universal credit or legacy benefits, with some discretion to make awards to others in financial hardship. 

With applications due to open from 12 October 2020, the Scottish Government confirms that the grant will be delivered through the Scottish Welfare Fund which is administered by local authorities.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said today -

'Self-isolation can be tough, but it is essential to protect people and reduce the spread of coronavirus. To ensure people do not experience financial hardship as a result of doing the right thing, we are introducing this new £500 grant for people on low incomes who have been told to self-isolate...

While we continue to press the UK Government for clarity around consequential funding for the support scheme they recently announced, it is essential that we act swiftly so that people who need support are able to access it. I am glad that the scheme has the support of local authorities and that we have a means of delivering it from next month.'

Fore more information, see New grant for those self-isolating from gov.scot