Self-isolation may be required for those who have symptoms of COVID-19, to stop the spread of the disease. However, while this move is necessary, it is likely to cause inconvenience for many Britons going about their daily lives. For some, this inconvenience while an unpleasant necessity, could turn into financial hardship.

They must also be in receipt of at least one of the following benefits:

• Universal Credit
• Working Tax Credit
• Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income Support
• Housing Benefit
• Pension Credit

The process of application for the £500 coronavirus grant is intended to be an easy one.

In England, Test and Trace Support payments are being administered by unitary authorities and district councils.

As a result, individuals will need to contact authorities in their local area to claim the £500 self-isolation grant.

Those who have tested positive, or have been identified as a close contact will receive an eight digit code by phone, email, letter or text message.

It is this code which people will need to provide to the local authority to support their claim.

Next, individuals are required to show proof of the receipt of one of the aforementioned qualifying benefits.

This may be through a claim form, for example, or a bank statement showing benefits have been claimed. 

Other proof needed is that of employment, or, for those who are self-employed, evidence of their self-assessment returns.

Self-employed people will need to show their business delivers a service which cannot be undertaken without social contact.

Finally, a bank statement will also need to be provided to a local council to support a claim for the grant.