I Have Been Told To Self-Isolate:

What Financial Support Am I Entitled To?

If you are told to self-isolate or your workplace has been told to close due to COVID-19 there are some options available to you:

  • Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) - a standard sick pay for those in work and unable to attend (see below for eligibility)

  • Contractual Sick Pay - an additional payment by your employer which you may be able to get on top of SSP (see below)

  • Self Isolation Payment - £500 for individuals who need to self isolate (see full eligibility below)

£500 Self Isolation Payment

There is a £500 Self Isolation Payment run through local councils to cover those who are ineligible for Statutory Sick Pay, and whom may need to self isolate for 2 weeks. In order to be eligible to receive the payment, you need to be:

1) 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.

2) Employed or self employed

3) Unable to work from home and will lose income as a result

4) Have been told to self isolate by NHS Test and Trace

Gov link here

Eligibility if you are not receiving benefits:

1) You meet all the other criteria listed above

2) You’re on a low income

3) You will face financial hardship as a result of self-isolating (hardship is a loose definition - so if you’re struggling - do reach out for this support)

Please note: In extreme financial difficulty, you may be able to get this payment even if you don’t meet any of the above criteria. In this case please speak to you local council.

The payment is being delivered through local councils, so you will need to get in touch with them if you meet the above eligibility criteria. You will also need to show: test and Trace unique ID number, a bank statement, proof of employment and confirmation from your employer that you are unable to work from home.

Statutory Sick Pay

If you work (and aren’t self-employed), you’re legally entitled to get Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) (£96.35 a week) as long as you:

You can get an ‘isolation note’ online from NHS 111 if formally required by your employer.

You’re still entitled to SSP if you work part-time or on a fixed-term contract.

If you’re an agency or casual worker and you’re working on an assignment when you get ill, you might be entitled to SSP until that assignment ends. If you’d already agreed to another assignment, you might be entitled to SSP till the end of that future assignment.

If you’re not ill but you’re following government guidance to ‘self-isolate’ and you can’t work from home, you’ll be entitled to SSP. This includes if you are self isolating due to someone in your household having symptoms.

If you're following government guidance because you have Coronavirus symptoms, you'll be considered unfit for work. You'll also be considered unfit for work if you're staying at home, or 'self-isolating', because you've been in contact with someone with Coronavirus. You'll get SSP if you're considered unfit for work and are usually entitled to it - check if you're entitled to SSP.

If you’re self-isolating and cannot work because of the Coronavirus, you can get an ‘isolation note’ online from NHS 111 . You do not have to go to your GP or a hospital.

Contractual Sick Pay

Your employer might pay you more than the statutory sick pay amount (this is called contractual or occupational sick pay). You can check if you’re entitled to this by reading your employment contract.

Contractual sick pay can’t be less than £96.35 per week. So if your employer states your sick pay is lower than this amount, this is not true.

With organisation’s budget’s strained, you may find that your employer is reluctant to pay you your Contractual Sick Pay, or encourages you to work through COVID (or your illness). This is illegal. It could be a good idea to speak to ACAS in this situation. They can advise you of your rights and help outline how to navigate this situation.