England Test and Trace Support scheme end date

The Test and Trace Support payment in England covered self-isolation periods that started between 28 September 2020 and 24 February 2022, according to the independent benefits information service Entitledto¹. People who were asked to self-isolate before the scheme ended have 42 days to start a claim through their local authority¹.

The payment was a one-off £500 for people on a low income who had been asked to self-isolate, could not work from home and had lost income as a result¹. Claimants had to be receiving at least one of Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit or Housing Benefit when they started to isolate, although local authorities could make awards to other people in financial hardship¹. The payment is not counted as income for other benefits, but it must be recorded as income, and it is included where income tax is paid on earnings¹. Couples who both meet the rules could each claim¹.

Eligibility widened over the life of the scheme. Until 7 March 2021 claimants needed to have been contacted by NHS Test and Trace; after that date a child's school or childcare provider could also ask them to self-isolate¹. The child had to be 15 or under, or 25 or under with an Education, Health and Care plan¹.

The scheme operated differently in the other nations. In Wales the payment was £500 between 23 October 2020 and 6 August 2021, then rose to £750 from 7 August 2021¹. In Scotland the Self-Isolation Support Grant was £500, falling to £225 from 1 May 2022 because public health guidance there advises staying at home for five days rather than self-isolating for ten¹.

Why it matters for households

Self-isolation periods in England that began after 24 February 2022 are outside the scheme, so the £500 payment does not cover them¹. For periods that started on or before 24 February 2022, the 42-day window to begin a claim through the local authority still applies¹. Households that received the payment need to record it as income, and it is included where income tax is paid on earnings, though it does not count towards other benefits¹. In Scotland the grant fell to £225 from 1 May 2022, and in Wales the £750 rate applied from 7 August 2021¹. The Entitledto page states it is out of date and has been left for reference only¹.

What happens next

The England scheme covers no self-isolation periods starting after 24 February 2022¹. Claims for earlier periods must be started within 42 days via the relevant local authority¹. In Scotland the £225 grant rate applies from 1 May 2022¹.