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Self-Isolation Support Grant

New grant for those self-isolating

Supporting people to do the right thing.

People on low incomes will be eligible to receive a new £500 grant if asked to self-isolate.

The new Self-Isolation Support Grant will help those who would lose income if they needed to self-isolate, such as those unable to carry out their work from home.

This grant is for those who will face financial hardship due to being asked to self-isolate and will be targeted at people who are in receipt of Universal Credit or legacy benefits, with some discretion to make awards to others in financial hardship. 

Applications will be delivered through the existing Scottish Welfare Fund, which is administered by local authorities.

Eligibility for a Self-Isolation Support Grant is restricted to people who:

Have received a public health request by the Test and Protect Service (or equivalent service across the UK) to self-isolate as a result of COVID-19, either because they have tested positive for coronavirus, have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive or are awaiting a test result;

or

have been notified by the Protect Scotland app (or equivalent app) to self-isolate as a result of COVID-19 because they have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive and this requirement can be individually verified; (NB this provision is dependent on the roll out of the increased functionality of the app)

or

are the identified appropriate parent or primary carer of a child under 16 who has been required by the Test and Protect Service (or equivalent service across the UK), local public health director or a local Incident Management Team notification to self-isolate.

In addition, prior to the self-isolation period, they must meet the following criteria:

  • are employed or self-employed;
  • are unable to work from home and will experience reduced earnings as a result;
  • are currently receiving, or have been awarded but not yet received a payment of the following benefits, or whose income is such that they would ordinarily be entitled to Universal Credit should an application have been made prior to their isolation:
    • Universal Credit;
    • Working Tax Credit;
    • Income-based Employment and Support Allowance;
    • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance;
    • Income Support;
    • Housing Benefit; and/or
    • Pension Credit.
A decision maker may contact the applicant for more information, check with third parties (subject to the applicant’s agreement) such as employers.