Decorator is ‘suffering’ as payment faces delays
TEST AND TRACE SUPPORT BACKLOG
A DECORATOR from Hull says he is penniless after Hull City Council failed to make a Test and Trace support payment during his isolation.
Connor Sallis, of west Hull, had to isolate for two weeks after his flatmate tested positive for coronavirus.
As owner of CS Decorating Services, the 26-year-old had to cease any work he had lined up during isolation period, meaning he had no money coming into for two weeks.
He describes himself as someone who “lives pay-cheque to pay-cheque”, which meant two weeks with no income hit him hard financially.
As a result, he applied for the Test and Trace Support Payment through Hull City Council, which offers support to people on low incomes or who are unable to work from home once told to self-isolate by the NHS.
Mr Sallis’s isolation ended this week, but he still hasn’t received the payment from Hull City Council, which has apologised to those left waiting by a backlog of applications.
“I’m out of food and just starting to set my work back up again, but I won’t see any income from that for a couple of weeks,” he said.
“I’ve suffered sleepless nights. I’ve wanted to break the law just to go out and earn some money. Luckily, I managed, but I’ve never been so stressed and depressed.
“It’s no wonder people are choosing not to isolate, though. I had to get into debt by £150 just so I could eat.”
Mr Sallis says he had no help from the council during his isolation, despite making a number of calls to them.
He was often told a call would come the following day, he claims, but it never came.
He has now been told that he may have to wait up to four weeks for the payment to come in, meanwhile he is in debt and cannot afford to buy any food to survive the next few weeks of no income.
The decorator worries he may forced to close his business if he can’t pay his overheads and rent, but is determined to try to recover.
He also urged the people of Hull to support local businesses in this time.
A spokesperson for Hull City Council said: “Due to the rise in infection rates there has been a significant rise in applications over the last two weeks.
“The team is currently processing applications from November 6, which is when the resident put in his claim, and so he will hear back very soon.
“Applications significantly exceeded the projected figures provided to us by the Government and the council has received nearly 1,500 applications for a Test and Trace payment since October 9, and more than half of these were in the past two weeks.
“Resources working on Test and Trace claims have been increased threefold from this week, this should enable a reduction in the time it takes to make payments.
“We would advise residents to read the guidance on the council’s website before applying, to ensure they are eligible.”