A new payment scheme to help low income people who need to self isolate and cannot work from home in areas with high incidence of COVID-19, has been announced.
The Government says payments of up to £182 will be made to people who have tested positive for COVID-19 and their contacts, from Tuesday, September 1.
Initially the scheme will only be available in Blackburn with Darwen, Pendle, and Oldham - areas which are currently under extra restrictions due to a high level of coronavirus cases..
Eligible individuals who test positive with the virus will receive £130 for their 10-day period of self-isolation. Other members of their household, who have to self-isolate for 14 days, will be entitled to a payment of £182.
Non-household contacts advised to self-isolate through NHS Test and Trace will also be entitled to a payment of up to £182, tailored to the individual length of their isolation period.
Payments will be provided within 48 hours of the eligible individual providing the necessary evidence. Individuals will be asked to provide a notification from NHS Test and Trace and a bank statement.
Read the full statement and find out more about the scheme and its terms here.
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