Almost four in five Covid self-isolation support applications rejected in Bedford

Almost four in five applications for discretionary £500 payments to help people self-isolate in Bedford have been rejected, figures suggest.

The grant, targeted at workers not eligible for the main Test and Trace Support Payment because they do not receive benefits, helps people with coronavirus on low incomes to self-isolate if they cannot work from home.

But figures obtained by the Labour party show more than 70 per cent of applications across England were rejected, as the Government denied claims it was planning to extend the payment to everyone who tests positive for Covid-19.

A freedom of information request showed 134 applications were made to Bedford Borough Council.

Of these, 105 (78 per cent) were rejected and seven (5 per cent) were granted – with the rest left outstanding.

This means the council is rejecting applications at a higher rate than across England as a whole.

But, Bedford Borough Council has decided today (Wednesday) to introduce its own discretionary scheme in addition to the Government's one.

It will pay an additional £200 to anyone qualifying for the Government scheme, so that they will receive £700 rather than £500 whilst they self-isolate.

A Bedford Borough Council spokesperson said: “The discretionary Test and Trace Support Grant Scheme began in October 2020 and the initial funding provided by the Government meant we could only pay 85 grants in total, which was not enough to support everyone who applied for the scheme.

"The criteria that we have applied to awarding the self-isolation payment has been in accordance with the guidance provided by central government. This focuses on helping people who are on a low income and will experience financial hardship because of having to self-isolate.

“From today, the Council is introducing its own discretionary scheme in addition to the Government funded scheme so that more people who require financial support can get the help they need. It is of benefit to the whole community that people don't feel financial pressure to go to work when they need to be isolating.

“Under this new local support scheme, we will pay an additional £200 to anyone qualifying for the Government scheme, so that they will receive £700 rather than £500 whilst they self-isolate, which reflects the minimum wage for 10 days.

"In order to support more residents access a grant of £700 through the local scheme, we will also be extending the qualifying criteria to include people in paid care positions (including home care, residential care and temporary NHS workers) and those with a household income up to £25,000 a year.

“It is vital that anyone instructed to self-isolate by Test and Trace does so for the full isolation period to protect the community and slow the spread of the virus. This extra funding will make it easier for people on a low income to stay at home and not to have to worry about lost income or financial hardship.”

Steve Reed MP, shadow communities secretary, said: “This Government’s serial incompetence is forcing many workers to choose between protecting their health and putting food on their families’ tables.

“Councils are going above and beyond to help those on low incomes to self-isolate but they are being hampered by overly strict criteria and inadequate Government guidance."

Anti-poverty charity Turn2us urged the Government to review funding for the scheme, as well as the eligibility criteria, so families can stay afloat.

Reported plans from the Government to extend £500 payments to everyone who tests positive for Covid-19 in England could have cost an estimated £453million per week.

It was the “preferred position” of Matt Hancock’s Department of Health and Social Care, according to a leaked document seen by The Guardian.

But Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s official spokesman said there are no plans to do so, insisting the “vast majority continue to abide by the rules”.