What is Self Isolation Payment Scotland? This benefit, mostly known as Self-Isolation Support Grant, is a Scottish benefit. Indeed, it is awarded to those who test positive for Covid through a PCR test. How much you get depends on the date on which you tested positive. Furthermore, the payment consists of a one-off amount that you can get up to 3 different times. Your Benefits article will tell you all you need to know about Self Isolation Payment Scotland (Self Isolation Support Grant).
How to apply to Self Isolation Payment Scotland
You may apply for Self Isolation Payment Scotland (also know as the Self-Isolation Support Grant) through your local council. You may already know who your local council is. Furthermore, you may already know if you are eligible. If this is the case, then feel free to contact your local council.
After you apply, your application will be processed. Typically, your local council will take 3 working days in order to determine your eligibility. If they are under heavy load, they may take longer.
Do I need to do anything else to apply?
Before you can apply for Self Isolation Payment Scotland (also know as the Self-Isolation Support Grant), you will need to give Test and Protect a certain permission. More specifically, the permission to share your information with your local council. If you do not do this, your local council will not be able to process your application.
Second, you can call the national helpline on 0800 030 8012. Then, you may inform them that you want to let Test and Protect share information about yourself to your local council.
After this is done, you may need to wait 48 hours before you can send your Self Isolation Payment Scotland (Self-Isolation Support Grant) application. This is because it can take up to 48 hours for Test and Protect to share your information with your local council.
What is Self Isolation Payment Scotland?
The Self Isolation Payment Scotland (also know as the Self-Isolation Support Grant) is a benefit for low wage workers living in Scotland. Indeed, you should be able to receive a payment if someone that you care for or yourself have a positive PCR test.
Then, the date on which you were tested positive will determine how much you can receive. More specifically, if you received your positive PCR test on or prior to 30 April 2022, you could then receive one payment of £500. If you receive your positive test on or after 1 May 2022, the grant will be one payment of £225.
This is a grant, and does not need to be paid back. Additionally, the single payment is for the entirety of the isolation period.
You can apply for the grant as many times as you need to self-isolate. For example, if you needed to self-isolate 3 separate times because of Covid, you can apply for this benefit each of these times. Note that, starting from 1 May onwards, you may only receive this payment 3 separate times.
How much is Self Isolation Payment Scotland?
The previous amount you could receive with Self Isolation Payment Scotland was £500. However, as of 1 May 2022, this amount will be reduced to £250. Additionally, if you receive a positive PCR test after this date, you will be asked to self-isolate for 5 days instead of 10 days.
You may be self-employed. If this is the case, the payments have to be reported on your Self Assessment tax return, if you already need to file the document.
Can I get Self Isolation Payment Scotland?
In order to apply for Self Isolation Payment Scotland (also known as Self-Isolation Support Grant), you need to be on a low income, and work. Additionally, you need to live in Scotland.
What is low income? You could be on a low income in one of two ways. First, you earn less than £1608.75 monthly before deductions. Second, you receive one of the following benefits:
- Working Tax Credit;
- Housing Benefit;
- Income-Based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA);
- Income Support;
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA);
- Universal Credit;
- Pension Credit;
- Council Tax Reduction.
Furthermore, your individual situation will be analysed by your local council. More specifically, this might include any children that live with you. As such, if you earn more than the aforementioned monthly amount, you may still be considered as “low income“.
How do I know if I do not qualify for the grant?
You may not qualify for Self Isolation Payment Scotland (or Self-Isolation Support Grant). This is likely the case if one of the following applies:
- You do not currently work;
- Someone that you care for or yourself did not receive a positive PCR test;
- The individual who tested positive only did a lateral flow test, and does not then obtain a positive PCR test;
- You have had Covid in the past 28 days, and are a close contact of someone who received a positive PCR test.
Also note that you will need not be able to receive the grant if you missed work to wait for a test result, and it turns out negative, and you are completely vaccinated. Furthermore, you will not be eligible if you get a negative test result after returning from abroad.
What other benefits can I get?
You may be on a low income, but not know what benefits you could receive. Then, Your Benefits will walk you through a couple of them. Indeed, you may remember the list from earlier in this article. It indicates the benefits you may be able to receive if you are low on income. One of these benefits is Universal Credit.
Universal Credit if I get Self Isolation Payment Scotland
Universal Credit is a benefit for those who are on a low income. If you are eligible, you can receive payments for it monthly. You likely qualify if you cannot work, are on a low income or are out of work. Note that you may be eligible even if you work, but certain conditions need to be true.
Universal Credit is composed of two different rates: the allowance rate and additional payments. The allowance rate is the basic standard rate that you will be able to receive. Indeed, this is based on your situation. How much you may earn is as follows:
| Universal Credit standard allowance rates in 2022 | |
|---|---|
| Your personal circumstance | Standard allowance rate (per month) |
| You have a partner, and at least one of you is 25 years or older | £509.91 (for the couple) |
| You have a partner, and you are both younger than 25 years old | £403.93 (for the couple) |
| You are younger than 25 years old and single | £257.33 |
| You are 25 years or older and single | £324.84 |
Then are the additional amounts. These are based on a couple of things. You may get them if you need help to cover your rent, take care of children, or cannot work because of a health condition or disability. These extra amounts are in addition to your standard allowance (basic) rate.
Can I get help with housing costs?
If you are eligible for Self Isolation Payment England (Self-Isolation Support Grant) you are also likely eligible for help with your housing cost. Indeed, you may apply for Housing Benefit.
In order to qualify for Housing Benefit, you need to be on a low income. In this case, you could also get a reduction on your Council Tax. You could get your rent covered with Housing Benefit, and your Council Tax covered with Council Tax Support.
Your Council Tax is a tax based on your housing. Furthermore, you can get this tax reduced if you are on a low income. Then, you would pay the band right below the band you are currently in.
