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.

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.

Self-Isolation Support Payment

You are entitled to a Self-Isolation Payment of £500 if you meet all of the following criteria:

  • You have been told to self-isolate by NHS Wales, Test, Trace, Protect service (TTP) on or after 23 October 2020
  • 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 eligible for a £500 Discretionary Payment if you meet all of the following criteria:

  • You have been told to self-isolate by NHS Wales, Test, Trace, Protect service (TTP) on or after 23 October 2020
  • 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.

NHS Covid-19 app

If you are informed to self-isolate through the NHS Covid-19 app because you may have been in contact with someone who tests positive for Covid 19, you may now also qualify for support.

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