Getting paid while I have Covid

[letsallmeetupinthehyear2000]

I work for a large employment agency 3 days a week -have done for 6 months or so and I am currently on assignment with a local organisation
the other 2 days a week I work for an independent company

Last Sat morning felt unwell so tested and was positive for COVID - felt rubbish for a few days - informed agency and people I work for straight away
Organisation I work for don’t want me to return to work until I have 2 negative tests within a 24 hr period - fair enough
however agency will not pay me for the first few days of sickness so I am £200 down for this week
if I don’t get a negative test next week I’m guessing I will get SSP
I live alone, pay all bills and have no savings ( you try saving on minimum wage)
What am I supposed to do ? Any advice?

Unfortunately the rules about covid sick pay (where you were entitled to ssp from day 1) were removed at the end of March and its now back to standard employment contract.

Do you normally get paid end of month? I'd try to pick up some extra hours wherever possible to try to make up the shortfall, as soon as I felt well enough to do so.