Isolation grant

[WhosThatGirl89]

Has anyone applied for this? I meet all the criteria but to apply you need a reference number from test and trace. I don't have one because I'm isolating with Dd as there was a case in her class. I'm a single parent and have lost income this week.
Does anyone know how I can get the reference number or have any suggestions? TIA

@WhosThatGirl89

I'm just so frustrated. I can't pay my bills on Monday because my pay was £150 less than I was expecting. My boss is pretty crap with communicating and didn't tell me whether I could use holiday for this week, which I asked for. I don't do overtime because it messes with my tax credits. You would think a scheme like this would consider lone parents and children being off school.

I would speak to your MP to take this up tbh. There will be hundreds like you.

@WhosThatGirl89 When this happens again maybe ask to be put on furlough.

@papaelf

I earn less than £500 a month. I have been told by PHE to isolate for two weeks and have lost the regular overtime that my employer needs me to do which is £200, I am not entitled to the isolation grant because I am still gettng my regular pay.

Losing your overtime is crap but I vent say I disagree with the decision here. You are still getting your regular pay. Your issue here is that your employer has you on a low contract but gives you overtime to benefit them.

It's not a low contract, I have three jobs with them - two fixed hours contracts and then one zero hours contract for the overtime hours.

All are different positions.

I don't do overtime because it messes with my tax credits.

Crap. I hadn't thought of that. It's going to mess with mine too. I think if I work out my wages including the expected overtime it'll work out?

@paganbilly

A zero hour contract doesn't give you overtime it gives you hours. You should probably rethink your work situation if you are working 3 jobs for such little money though. It's not the fault of the government that you have a zero hour contract, it's the fault of the employer. Had they given you set hours you may have qualified in the event of any loss.

[quote papaelf]@paganbilly

A zero hour contract doesn't give you overtime it gives you hours. You should probably rethink your work situation if you are working 3 jobs for such little money though. It's not the fault of the government that you have a zero hour contract, it's the fault of the employer. Had they given you set hours you may have qualified in the event of any loss. [/quote]
@papaelf I'm employed by local government!

I don't think the grant is dependent on who your employer is.

There was something in the papers about this. Just another poorly organised government thing.

Just read a BBC article saying that people who are told through the app or parents caring for children are not eligible. Pretty flawed system. Apparently they're looking into ways to expand it. Can't see that happening anytime soon.
So I have to get into debt now because my bills won't be paid on time. And then I have to use money I have for Xmas presents to pay off those bills when my tax credits come through next week.
Who wants to leave the planet with me?

I'm in the same situation as you if DS has to isolate. Single parent, can't work from home, DS too young to be left on his own. It's such a pain. Luckily we haven't had to isolate yet but I dread it happening.

This the second time since they went back in September for us

Can you be furloughed op?

It's not the fault of the government that you have a zero hour contract

It is the fault of the government when they fail to legislate against zero hours contracts being used unfairly. Unions and Labour have been pushing this issue for years, if the work is there then people should be offered job security.

Whos, I'm sorry for the situation you've been left in, it is unfair. It's worth checking if you would be better off on Universal Credit, that would adjust in situations like this, but please take advice first, few are better off. In the meantime, don't be afraid to contact a food bank if you need help.

I'm not sure user. I only went back 8 weeks ago I think. My boss will have me in Thurs and Fri next week as that's when Dd goes back. I'm still not up to my full hours. I'm still on part furlough. I'm going to talk to her on Mon

@papaelf

I don't think the grant is dependent on who your employer is.

No, it's not. It's pretty poor that government departments are using zero hour contracts though.

If you are still on flexi furlough then you should be furloughed for the days/hours which you aren't able to work.

Is that right wigglyworm? I'll talk to my boss about it

Yes that's correct, you can be furloughed for caring duties so definitely speak with your boss.

Not much use to you OP but I have just read this is going to be expanded to cover exactly your situation.

I have read that as well papaelf but I don't know when

Its in Scotland from 7th December but don't know if its the same in England/Wales etc