England
Eligibility rules
To be eligible for a £500 Self Isolation Payment, you have to be
- Self isolating, and
- In work, and unable to work from home, and
- In receipt of certain benefits, or on a low income.
Self Isolating
You can only get a Self Isolation Payment if you are self isolating because NHS Test and Trace (England) has told you that you must self isolate or if you are caring for a child who has been told they must self isolate.
You cannot get it if you are quarantining after returning from abroad, if you are shielding or if you are self isolating for any other reason.
In work and unable to work from home
You can only get a Self Isolation Payment if you are employed or self employed, and are unable to work from home, and so will lose income.
There are no minimum hours you have to work.
You can get a Self Isolation Payment and Statutory Sick Pay at the same time.
In receipt of certain benefits or on a low income
You can get a Self Isolation Payment if your household is getting one of these benefits:
If you aren't getting any of these benefits, use our Benefits Calculator to check whether you're entitled any extra help.
If you are not entitled to any of these benefits, you may be able to get a discretionary grant from your council. Contact your council to find out if you qualify for their discretionary grants scheme.
Scotland
Eligibility rules
To be eligible for a £500 Self Isolation Payment, you have to be
- Self isolating, and
- In work, and unable to work from home, and
- In receipt of certain benefits or on a low income.
Self isolating
You can get a Self Isolation Payment if you are self isolating because Test and Protect (Scotland) has told you that you must self isolate.
If you have to take time off work to care for a child under 16 who has to self isolate, you can get a Self Isolation Payment.
If you have to take time off because someone you care for has to self-isolate, you can also get a self-isolation payment.
You cannot get it if you are quarantining after returning from abroad, if you are shielding or if you are self isolating for any other reason.
In work and unable to work from home
You can only get a Self Isolation Payment if you are employed or self employed, and are unable to work from home, and so will lose income.
There are no minimum hours you have to work.
You can get a Self Isolation Payment and Statutory Sick Pay at the same time.
In receipt of certain benefits, or on a low income
You can get a Self Isolation Payment if your household is getting one of these benefits:
If you aren't getting any of these benefits, use our Benefits Calculator to check whether you're entitled any extra help.
You will also be able to get a Self Isolation Payment if you earn less than £9.50 per hour.
If you aren't getting any of these benefits, you may still be able to get a discretionary grant. Contact your council to find out about their discretionary scheme.
Wales
Eligibility rules
To be eligible for a £500 Self Isolation Payment, you have to be
- Self isolating, and
- In work, and unable to work from home, and
- In receipt of certain benefits, or on a low income.
Self isolating
You can get a Self Isolation Payment if you are self isolating because Test, Trace Protect (Wales) has told you that you must self isolate.
If you have to take time off work to care for a child under 16 who has to self isolate, you can get a Self Isolation Payment.
In work and unable to work from home
You can only get a Self Isolation Payment if you are employed or self employed, and are unable to work from home, and so will lose income.
There are no minimum hours you have to work.
You can get a Self Isolation Payment and Statutory Sick Pay at the same time.
In receipt of certain benefits, or on a low income
You can get a Self Isolation Payment if your household is getting one of these benefits:
If you aren't getting any of these benefits, use our Benefits Calculator to check whether you're entitled any extra help.
You can also get a Self Isolation Payment if you are only getting Statutory Sick Pay from work and no other earnings, or if your income is less than £500 per month.
If you aren't getting any of these benefits, you may still be able to get a discretionary grant. Contact your council to find out about their discretionary scheme.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland's scheme is different. You can find details on the Northern Ireland scheme on the NI Direct website.
Updated: 20 April 2021