Test and Trace Support payment

The Test and Trace Support payment is available for people on a low income who must self-isolate for 10 days and cannot work from home during this period.

Before you start

Ensure you have read all supporting information, and have the required information ready.

You can help someone else fill out an application or fill out an application on their behalf. However, you cannot receive payments on behalf of someone else. Payments will only be made to the person who has been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace.

You will need

You must know the following to complete your application:

• National Insurance number
• Your 8-digit test and trace ID number

If you are self-employed you will have to upload the following:

• Evidence of self-assessment returns, trading income and proof that your business delivers services which cannot be undertaken without social contact

If you do not provide this information with your application, it will be considered incomplete and no assessment will be made. If you still require a self-isolation payment you will have to submit a new form that includes all the proof listed above.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the new Test and Trace Support Payment, you must:

• Have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace either because you’ve tested positive for coronavirus or have recently been in close contact with someone who has
• Have been issued with a 8-character NHS Test and Trace Account ID. If you are unable to locate your Account ID please contact NHS 119 for further help
• Be employed or self-employed
• Be unable to work from home and will lose income as a result
• Be 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. If you do not receive any of the benefits listed, you may still be eligible if you meet all of the other Test and Trace eligibility criteria above, and you will face financial hardship as a result of not being able to work while you are self-isolating.

You will not be eligible for either scheme if:

• You are furloughed, and your income is less because of this except if you are furloughed, work part-time and due to self-isolation, you are losing further income because you can no longer work part-time
• You are quarantining after travelling abroad (unless you test positive during the 10-day quarantine period)
• Your claim was received more than 28 days after the first day of self-isolation confirmed by NHS Test and Trace up until 6 April 2021
• From 7 April 2021, we have changed this policy and extended the timeframe. If your claim was received more than 42 days from the first day of isolation, which has been confirmed by NHS Test and Trace, you will not be eligible

How to apply

The quickest and easiest way is to apply online. This application is for one person only and any further applications within the same household must be made by each individual.

Apply now

Apply by telephone

To apply, call us on 020 8871 6555.

You can speak to someone who will be able to assist you with completing the form over the telephone.

What happens next

You should receive confirmation from us within 48 hours of your application. 

Payment

Individuals who qualify and who meet the criteria will be entitled to a £500 lump sum payable into their bank account. These payments will be subject to income tax but not National Insurance contributions. Central Government are to advise local authorities on the process for this. 

Government guidance states the payments will only be eligible for positive diagnosis from 28 September 2020 onwards (not before) until the scheme ends on 30 June 2021. Eligible people will be able to claim for each period of self-isolation. 

Applicants who are overdrawn

If your nominated bank account is overdrawn and this payment would be used to cover the overdraft you can write to your bank and request for the first right of appropriation over the payment. This will protect the money from being used to pay back the overdraft and only pay the items you have requested in your letter.

Find out more about first right of appropriation of funds (pdf, 90 KB).

Backdating payment

If you have been contacted by NHS Test and Trace since 28 September 2020, you will qualify for a backdated payment if you have been told to self-isolate, and you fit into the above eligibility criteria.

Find out more

General information regarding the scheme is available on the GOV.UK website.