Test and Trace support payment available for Stoke-on-Trent residents

Stoke-on-Trent residents are now eligible for a Test and Trace support payment of £500 if they are told to stay at home and to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace either because they have tested positive for coronavirus or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive.

The funding is available for people who are employed and self-employed who are unable to work from home and will lose income as a result.

The scheme is also open to those who 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.

An online application form was made available at stoke.gov.uk from the week beginning Monday October 12. People will be able to apply online and payments will be to Monday, September 28 for eligible claims.

Councillor Abi Brown said: “It is critical that people in the city self-isolate when they are asked to. Having this funding in place will make it easier for people to do what is needed and I’m pleased that this much needed support is coming forward. We are hearing examples of people not self-isolating at the moment and this is contributing to a rise in cases in the city. It’s incredibly important that the guidance is followed and any measures from government which help to ensure this happens are hugely welcomed.”

Finally residents are being reminded about the city council face covering campaign to remind people to wear their face covering when out and about across the city. People are being invited to share their selfies wearing their favourite face coverings using the hashtag #LetskickcoronavirusoutofStokeonTrent.

Through the campaign the city council has teamed up with design business- Megan Rose Design, who specialises in Stoke-on-Trent themed designs. By popular demand there are now 300 new face coverings available in the same design with the message ‘Hands, Face, Space’. READ MORE ABOUT the Megan Rose Design Masks HERE.

Residents can also win one of 10 limited edition ‘Cost kick coronavirus out of Stoke-on-Trent’ face coverings by sharing their selfies online. Residents can enter the social media competition by tagging the city council in their face covering selfies on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and by using the hashtag #LetskickcoronavirusoutofStokeonTrent. The competition will run from Thursday, September 24 to Thursday, October 22. The winners will be picked at random and announced on Friday, October 23.