Apply for a test and trace payment (child isolating)
The government has introduced a second test and trace payment to support those on low incomes who cannot work because their child has been asked to self-isolate.
In order to be eligible for the payment you must:
- • be the parent or guardian of a child or young person in the same household and need to take time off work to care for them while they self-isolate. This is limited to one parent or guardian per household for the child or young person’s self-isolation period;
- • be applying for a child or young person who is aged 15 or under (or 25 or under with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHC)) and normally attends an education or childcare setting;
- • A child or young person defined above has tested positive for COVID 19;
- • have been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace or by the child’s education or childcare setting because they have been identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID 19; From 16/08/2021 child or young person self isolating must not be fully vaccinated.
- • The child or young person must have been told to self isolate on or after 08.03.2021;
- • You must be submitting your claim within 6 weeks of the child or young person’s first day of self isolation;
- • You cannot work from home whilst caring for your child or young person during their period of self isolation;
- • You will suffer a loss of income during the period of self isolation.
Do not use this form
- • to make a claim for a child who had to isolate before 8th March 2021;
- • to apply for a test and trace payment for yourself.
The scheme will run until 31 March 2022. Test and Trace Support Payments are subject to income tax.
Before you start
You will need to include the following information as part of your application:
- • evidence that your child has been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace or by the child’s education setting;
- • details of the child and their education provider, including the address, telephone number and email address;
- • your bank account details;
- • proof that you receive Child Benefit for the child or young person (where applicable), for example, your most recent bank statement;
- • proof of employment or proof of self-assessment returns and trading income if self-employed;
- • if self-employed, evidence that your business cannot deliver services without social contact;
- • details of the bank account you would like the payment to be made to.