Self Isolation Support Grant

Low-income workers in Scotland may be eligible for a £500 Self Isolation Support Grant if they are told by Test and Protect to self-isolate due to coronavirus (COVID-19). Both employees and self-employed individuals are eligible.

You can only apply for this grant through your local council. You can do this any time during the 28 days from the date you start to self-isolate.

To be eligible, you must meet all of the following criteria:

• you must be told by Test and Protect or the Incident Management Team to self-isolate because you:
  • have tested positive for coronavirus
  • have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive
  • are the parent of carer of a child under 16 who has been told to self-isolate
  • are caring for someone over 16 who has been told to self-isolate
• you must be employed or self-employed
• you'll lose income because you cannot work from home
• you must be on a low income or getting one of these benefits:
  • Universal Credit
  • Working Tax Credit
  • Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
  • Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
  • Income Support
  • Housing Benefit
  • Pension Credit
  • Council Tax Reduction

You can still apply for the grant if your right to live in the UK includes the condition that you've no recourse to public funds.

There is no cost to apply for the grant.

If you're employed, you'll pay tax on the payment if you go over your tax-free personal allowance. Your tax code will change to collect the tax. You'll not pay National Insurance contributions on the payment.

If you're self-employed you must report the payment on your Self Assessment tax return. HMRC have published guidance on how to report the grant on your Self Assessment tax return.

Low-income workers in Scotland who have been told by Test and Protect to self-isolate due to coronavirus (COVID-19).

To apply, you need to give your local council:

• a bank statement
• proof of low income if you do not claim benefits
• proof of employment or self-employment

You'll also need to allow Test and Protection share your information with your local council.

Visit mygov.scot for more information and to find out how to apply.