Financial support to help you in self-isolation

Self-isolation payment scheme

If you have been asked to isolate because of Coronavirus, you should stay home to avoid spreading the virus. If you need financial support to self-isolate, you may be entitled to a £500 grant payment that you don't have to pay back. 

You can make a claim for the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme or a discretionary payment up to 42 days after the first day of your period of self-isolation. Payments of £500 are available for eligible residents whose permanent address is within South Cambridgeshire.

From 16 August 2021 fully-vaccinated adults and children under 18 and 6 months will no longer be required to isolate if they are identified as a close contact of someone who has COVID-19. This means they will no longer be eligible for the Self-Isolation payment if they are notified on or after 16 August.

Payments will be made within 3 working days of submitting a completed application form with the required supporting documents.

The eligibility criteria are listed below.

If you need help with the application form please contact us via:

• email: testandtracepayment@scambs.gov.uk
• telephone: 03450 450 500

Apply now

Who is eligible?

Parents who need to take time off work to look after children who are self‐isolating will be able to apply for financial support. 

Details will be verified prior to payment.

Or, if you have been told by the NHS to self-isolate, either because you have tested positive for coronavirus COVID-19 or you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive, you may be entitled to some financial support during your self-isolation period. 

People who have received notification from NHS Test and Trace before 16 August 2021 to self-isolate will be entitled to a Self-Isolation Payment providing they satisfy all 4 of the following requirements:

1. they comply with the notification from NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate or have received LFD test positive result
2. are employed or self-employed
3. are unable to work from home and will lose income as a result
4. are in receipt of one of the following benefits:
   • Universal Credit
   • Working Tax Credit
   • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
   • Housing Benefit
   • Income Support
   • Income based Job Seeker’s Allowance
   • Pension Credit

After 16 August 2021, fully-vaccinated adults and children under the age of 18 and 6 months no longer need to isolate if they have come into contact with a positive case. However, anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 still needs to isolate.

Discretionary Scheme

Local authorities can make a £500 discretionary payment to individuals who are not eligible for the above national criteria, providing they satisfy all of the following requirements:

• they comply with the notification from NHS Test and Trace before 16 August 2021, or are not fully vaccinated, or received LFD test positive result
• are employed or self-employed
• are unable to work from home and will lose income as a result
• not eligible for the Self Isolation Support payment
• on low income and will suffer financial hardship
• that their bank account and savings should normally not exceed £1,500 there may be some discretion for exceptional cases

Test and Trace Support Payments Discretionary Policy [PDF, 0.2MB]

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough COVID-19 Hardship Fund

The discretionary hardship fund is available for anyone living or visiting Cambridgeshire or Peterborough, who has been told to stay at home and self‐isolate by NHS Track and Trace where: 

• They are not eligible for either the Test and Trace Support Payment or Discretionary Support Payment or
• A payment has been made under the national Test and Trace schemes, but there are additional and exceptional needs which will not be covered by the original payment (and the applicant cannot meet these needs).
• Self-isolating will cause additional essential costs (for example accommodation costs or extra costs relating to caring responsibilities), or lead to a loss of income which cannot be met by the individual

Eligibility criteria

• In employment, but only if they cannot meet the national test and trace eligibility
• In unemployment and cannot meet the eligibility for the discretionary test and trace scheme and there are additional costs identified as a direct result of self‐isolating
• In retirement where self-isolating would incur exceptional additional costs for them or their family e.g. caring responsibilities for a dependant
• With no recourse to public funds
• In all cases, applicants must be able to demonstrate there is clear financial hardship or loss of income which will be incurred by self‐isolating.
• Payment will be awarded based on the needs of the individual case
• People who have received notification from NHS Test and Trace or LFD test positive results

Apply online

If you aren't eligible for these support schemes, please contact us so that we can let you know what other support is available.
Email: duty.communities@scambs.gov.uk
Telephone: 01954 713 070 (please leave a message and we'll call you back)