Coronavirus: Isolation payments

If you have been contacted by NHS Wales Test, Trace, protect service (TTP) and been told to self-isolate, you may be entitled to financial support of £500.

We are currently dealing with a high volume of applications. If you've made an application for an isolation payment in March 2022 and haven’t received a payment or reply from us, your application will be processed as soon as possible.

If you are making a new application, please make sure all requested evidence is provided to avoid a delay in payment.

Self-isolation payments are taxable. 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 will not pay National Insurance contributions on the payment. If you’re self-employed you must report the payment on your Self-Assessment tax return. It should not affect any benefits you get.

Self-isolation support scheme

You may be entitled to a payment if you meet all of the following criteria:

  • You have been told to self-isolate by:
    • NHS Wales, Test, Trace, Protect service (TTP) as a positive  case, or
    • your child has been advised to self-isolate by TTP as a result of testing positive.
  • You are employed or self-employed
  • You cannot work from home and will lose income as a result
  • You or your partner are currently receiving at least one of the following benefits:
    • Universal Credit
    • Working Tax Credit
    • Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
    • Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
    • Income Support
    • Housing Benefit
    • Pension Credit

Parents and carers of children self-isolating from education or childcare

Eligibility is now extended to include parents and carers who meet the following criteria:

  • The child attends a school or childcare setting up to and including Year 8 (or up to age 25 if the learner has multiple and complex needs);
  • The child has been asked to self-isolate by TTP or has been asked to self-isolate for 10 days or more by the school or child-care setting as a result of an outbreak in a school, childcare or further education setting; and  
  • Parents or carers meet the criteria of the main scheme, namely:
      • are employed or self-employed;
      • are unable to work from home and will lose income as a result; and
      • (the applicant or their partner) are 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.; or
      • The application is accepted under the discretionary scheme.

Discretionary Payment

You may be entitled to a payment if you meet all of the following criteria:

  • You have been told to self-isolate by:
    • NHS Wales, Test, Trace, Protect service (TTP) as a positive  case, or
    • your child has been advised to self-isolate by TTP as a result of testing positive.
  • You are employed or self-employed
  • You cannot work from home and will lose income as a result
  • You or your partner do not currently receive:
    • Universal Credit
    • Working Tax Credit
    • income-based Employment and Support Allowance
    • income-based Job Seekers Allowance
    • Income Support
    • Housing Benefit
    • Pension Credit
  • You will face financial Hardship as a result of not being able to work while you are self- isolating.

How to apply

Self-isolation and discretionary payments

You can only apply for a self-isolation or discretionary payment online.

Apply for a self-isolation or discretionary payment online

Parents and carers of children self-isolating from education or childcare

Apply for the self-isolation support payment for parents and carers of children self-isolating from education or childcare