Decision details

From 28 September 2020, a new legal duty was placed on all those who test positive for COVID19 or are identified by NHS Test and Trace as a close contact, requiring them to self-isolate.

Alongside this requirement, the Government provided funding for a Test and Trace Support Payment (TTSP) scheme for people on a low income who are unable to work while they are self-isolating because they cannot work from home. This is a £500 lump sum payment. 

The scheme has been administered by the Revenues and Benefits Service since 05 October 2020 and will run until 30 June 2021. 

In addition to the Main Scheme, Government require a Discretionary Payment Scheme to be made available to those applicants who are not in receipt of a qualifying means tested benefit but meet all the other main scheme conditions, along with any additional localised criteria.  Eligibility criteria for a discretionary payment was developed alongside other Greater Manchester Authorities to ensure the support was targeted at those individuals who need it and that sufficient funding would be available to cover demand. 

Details of current eligibility criteria for both the main and discretionary schemes are set out in the attached report at paragraphs 2.1, 3.2 and 3.3 along with mandatory changes made to the existing schemes from 08 March 2021 at paragraphs 7.2 and 7.3.

7.1 Following an increase in Government grant funding for local discretionary schemes, advice from the DHSC and analysis of take up, changes to eligibility criteria in Stockport’s discretionary Test and Trace Support Payment scheme are recommended from 01 April 2021.

Following consideration of the report, the Cabinet Member for Resources, Commissioning and Governance has: -

·         Noted the eligibility to be made in line with the Government’s mandatory criteria set out in paragraph 2.1.

·         Noted the inclusion of the Government changes to the main scheme set out in paragraph 7.2 and 7.3.

·         Approved the removal of the requirement to evidence property related costs as part of the eligibility criteria for the Council’s discretionary scheme from 01 April 2021.

·         Noted the eligibility for support payments from the Council’s discretionary scheme to be made in line with the following criteria which removes the requirement to evidence property related costs: -

-       Have been told to stay home and self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, either because they have tested positive for coronavirus or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive;

-       Are employed or self-employed;

-       Are unable to work from home and will lose income as a result;

-       Who are not currently 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;

-       Who are on a low income and will face financial hardship as a result of not being able to work while they are self-isolating; and

-       Who have no recourse to public funds if they meet criteria above

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