Self-isolation grant to be extended by Scottish Government

More people will be eligible for the Scottish Government’s £500 self-isolation grant from Mondaynote-0, the First Minister has announced.

The grant – currently open to those who claim Universal Credit or other benefits – will be extended to those who care for a child under the age of 16 who has been told to self-isolate.

This will be open to parents or carers who in this scenario would be unable to work from home due to caring for the child, who receive Universal Credit or other benefits, and who face a loss of income due to the self-isolation requirements.

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The eligibility will also be open to those who do not receive Universal Credit, but their local council believe would if they applied for it.

Nicola Sturgeon announced an extension to the existing self-isolation support grant todayNicola Sturgeon announced an extension to the existing self-isolation support grant today
Nicola Sturgeon announced an extension to the existing self-isolation support grant today

Speaking at her daily coronavirus briefing, the First Minister said the change was a key way to help support people through self-isolation.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “We recognise that self-isolation for a period of ten or 14 days is a really tough thing to be asking people to do.

“And particularly tough for people on low incomes, who might not be able to or be less able to work from home, and be less likely to have access to statutory sick pay.

“And we do not want anybody to feel that they are having to choose between self-isolating, and feeding themselves and their families.

“So I hope today’s expansion of the support grant will help more people to do the right thing - if they are, or if their children are asked to self-isolate.”

Social security minister Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “While self-isolation can be difficult for everyone, we know there are particular financial barriers to complying faced by some people.

“We always said we would review this grant to make sure it worked for people who face hardship as a result of self-isolation. That is why we are making changes for some people who are not currently eligible.

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“Supporting people to self-isolate is critical to controlling the spread of the virus. These are important changes, and I am grateful to councils for their continued work to support those who can claim this grant.”

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