Highland Council highlights Scottish Government-funded support for those asked to self-isolate during Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic

HIGHLANDERS asked to self-isolate during the Covid-19 pandemic have been given details of how to access vital grant support.

Grants of up to £500 are available to people who are asked to self-isolate by the NHS Test and Protect service, are in receipt of low-income benefits and who will lose income because they are unable to work from home.

And Highland Council has now published new information on its website about how to access this support, which is funded by the Scottish Government.

Welcoming the funding aimed at supporting the most vulnerable, the leader of Highland Council, Cllr Margaret Davidson said: “We are all aware of the many challenges people are facing so I am sure knowing this new and non-repayable self-isolation support grant is available, will give some reassurance and help relieve some of the stress and financial concerns people asked to self-isolate will have.

“Our team of staff are ready to assist, and I encourage anyone who has been asked to self-isolate by the NHS Test and Protect Service and think they are eligible for a £500 grant, to get in touch.”

If you have been asked by NHS Test and Protect Service to self-isolate on or after September 28, either because you have tested positive for Covid-19 or you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive, you may be entitled to a £500 Self-Isolation Support Grant.

Applications can be made each time you or anyone within your household have been asked to self-isolate by the NHS Test and Protect Service.

People in the same household can each make an individual application to receive the payment, if they each meet the eligible criteria.

To be eligible anyone aged 16 or over who lives in the Highland Council area and has received notification from NHS Test and Protect Service to self-isolate must meet all of the following requirements:

• Have been required by the Test and Protect Service to self-isolate as a result of Covid-19, either because they have tested positive for coronavirus, have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive or are awaiting a test result and they have granted permission for the Test and Protect Service to share this data with The Highland Council;
• are employed or self-employed;
• are unable to work from home and will experience reduced earnings as a result; and
• are currently receiving or have been awarded but not yet received a payment of:
• Universal Credit;
• Working Tax Credit;
• Income-based Employment and Support Allowance;
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance;
• Income Support;
• Housing Benefit; and/or
• Pension Credit.

Anyone wishing to apply should contact the council’s welfare support team on 0800 090 1004 to ensure that all help that is available to them can be claimed, including this non-repayable self-isolation support payment.

Cllr Davidson added: “If you do not meet all the criteria but are on a low income and self-isolation will cause hardship you should still make contact as our staff will be able to advise if you qualify for a Crisis Grant and other support that may be available.”

Click here to read more coronavirus news .

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.