Written Statement: Self-Isolation Support Scheme for NHS Covid-19 App users

The Welsh Government launched the £500 payment scheme in November 2020 to support people who have been asked to self-isolate by the Test, Trace, Protect service.  Today I am extending the Self-Isolation Support Scheme to include those who have been asked to self-isolate as a close contact by the NHS Covid-19 App. 

NHS Covd-19 App users are now eligible to apply for the £500 payment if they have been notified due to exposure, are on low income and at risk of financial hardship.  Since its launch, we have already expanded the scheme to include parents and carers of children asked to self-isolate due to an outbreak in an educational setting.  This further extension supports our commitment to constantly review the scheme and ensure we provide financial support to those who need it most.

I am extending the scheme to NHS Covid-19 App users under the following criteria:

• They have been asked to self-isolate as a result of exposure to Covid-19;
• They meet the criteria of the main scheme, namely they:
  • are employed or self-employed;
  • are unable to work from home and will lose income as a result; and
  • (the applicant or their partner) are currently receiving, Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, income-based Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit and/or Pension Credit; or
• The application has been accepted under the discretionary element of the scheme.

A digital solution will be in place shortly but until that is available a temporary process has been developed for all local authorities to process applications from NHS Covid-19 users.  Local authorities will be able to process applications from Friday 5 February with a back-date from today’s announcement.

I will continue to keep the scheme under review to ensure those most in need receive the support they need to self-isolate and reduce transmission.