Applications now open for Self-isolation Support Grant

Applications for the £500 Self- Isolation Support Grant are now open for Monklands low income workers asked to selfisolate.

The grant will help those asked to self-isolate by Test and Protect, after testing positive for coronavirus, or having been in contact with someone who has tested positive.

The payments are designed to help people required to selfisolate to stop the spread of the virus.

They will be targeted at those in receipt of Universal Credit or legacy benefits who are employed or self-employed.

The Local Self- Isolation Assistance Service is also being introduced to support those required to isolate.

As well as being able to selfrefer for support through the existing National Assistance Helpline, local authorities will now proactively contact those asked to self-isolate to offer help, advice and assistance including help to access essential food and medication or local support services.

The service will deliver an initial 30-minute call, followed up by two 10-minute calls during the period of self-isolation and will initially prioritise the most vulnerable.

This will ensure people are referred to the relevant services for support, while maximising uptake of the Self-isolation Support Grant for those eligible.

Social security secretary Shirley-anne Somerville said: “Self- isolation is essential to protect people and reduce the spread of Covid- 19 but we do not want people to experience financial hardship, particularly those with no access to public funds, due to a loss of income as a result of doing the right thing.

“Whilst employers should do everything they can to allow people to work from home we know this isn’t always possible so this £500 grant is there to help.

“We know self-isolating can be tough, and want to do everything we can to support people throughout this challenging time.

“Our new assistance phone service will proactively contact people who have been asked to self- isolate and direct them to support that they may need, for example access to food or medicines, the Self- Isolation Support Grant or other financial support they may be eligible for, as well as other local services including community volunteering, emotional support and social work.

“This service will initially focus on those who are on the shielding list, people aged 70-plus, disabled people, and people in low income households. We are considering how we roll this service out to further groups to reach even more people and provide support for them to isolate.”

COSLA community wellbeing spokesperson councillor Kelly Parry added: “We are pleased that the Scottish Government, working in partnership with Scottish local government, have made available this grant to provide financial assistance to those on low incomes who need to self-isolate.

“Local councils are well placed to provide advice, support and assistance which will help reduce the social and economic impacts of the pandemic.

“Staying home to stop the spread of Covid- 19 is the right thing to do to ensure that members of our communities who are most at risk and vulnerable to the effects of the virus are kept safe.

“This grant will assist those who will lose income as a result and are at most risk of financial hardship, including those with no recourse to public funds, to stay home and reduce the spread of Covid-19.”