£500 Test & Trace Support Grant

[Sailingtelltales]

I’ve been Furloughed since March (minimum wage non-essential retail) 6 hour contract but work many more hours than that, however am Furloughed on only 6 hours weekly pay.

11 year old is Positive Covid. (We are strict on rules, so this has been caught at school, where a whole Year group are currently off, plus many in other Year groups).

Only benefits I receive are child benefit and child tax credit.

Cannot apply for the £500 grant as not on ‘Universal Credit’ (I thought Child Tax Credit was Universal Credit??)

Also because my Furlough pay won’t reduce due to Positive Covid case in the household.

Has anyone else had luck in obtaining this grant under these circumstances?

I got refused due to not being in receipt of benefits...I tried to explain it can be a discretionary payment but the council were having none of it. I work two jobs and ones agency and I'm losing over 200 pounds a week from that due to still not being able to work.

Why do you need it if your usual furlough isn’t being reduced and you aren’t missing work? The payment is so people can isolate, you already can.

@Racoonworld

because I’m on £209.28 a month Furlough pay,

so a grant of £500 to make up for 8 months loss of pay (I usually work much more than my contracted 6 hours) so would have been useful in clearing some lockdown related debts.

Yes useful I’m sure but they’re not going to give you an exemption to get it based on that unfortunately. You have no problem isolating because you won’t be missing work. Sorry but you won’t be able to get it.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/test-and-trace-support-payment-scheme-claiming-financial-support/claiming-financial-support-under-the-test-and-trace-support-payment-scheme

Here’s a link to the criteria. One of the criteria is that you will lose income from isolating. You won’t so don’t fit the criteria.

Of course you can't get it. You haven't worked since March so you don't need to take time off work...

£500 is for people who have to isolate and stop working not for you to try and claim when you can isolate anyway and haven't worked since March

You do realise it’s not some kind of covid bonus?

@Nicknacky Having two children at home, one Positive, you think that’s a ‘bonus’? [Hm]

Could be eligible for a £500 Test and Trace Support Payment if ‘you’re unable to work from home and will lose income as a result of self-isolating’
I will lose income. My other work means I shouldn't leave the house to deliver those orders.

Bloody hell this take CF to another level.

You didn’t mention losing income in a different job.

And no, it’s not a financial bonus.

I * * will lose income. My other work means I shouldn't leave the house to deliver those orders.

I cross posted with this really vital and absolutely relevant information. Why did you not mention 2 jobs until now?

Contact your local council who administer the grant

Should have added I hope your son is ok.

I'm struggling to make sense of this.

If you have not lost income because of having to self isolate then you will not be eligible for the grant.

If you have lost income from your 'other work' because of having to self isolate then you might be eligible for the discretionary grant (Child tax credit is not one of the qualifying benefits)

Do you have a partner who is working? Have you checked whether there are other benefits you are entitled to?

benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/AboutYou

You should ask your employer to recalculate and backdate your furlough payments. They are supposed to calculate it on the average amount you earn, not just on your contracted hours.

www.gov.uk/guidance/calculate-how-much-you-can-claim-using-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

@premiumhob

I * * will lose income. My other work means I shouldn't leave the house to deliver those orders.

I cross posted with this really vital and absolutely relevant information. Why did you not mention 2 jobs until now?

Exactly??

You should ask your employer to recalculate and backdate your furlough payments. They are supposed to calculate it on the average amount you earn, not just on your contracted hours.

And I have just discovered there is an imminent deadline for your employer to amend their furlough claim:

30 November 2020 is the last day that you can submit claims for periods ending on or before 31 October 2020. After this date you will not be able to:

- submit any further claims for periods ending on or before 31 October 2020
- add to existing claims for periods on or before 31 October 2020

www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wages-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme#underclaim

So you should get onto this straight away.