Question reference: S5W-34302
- Asked by: Stuart McMillan, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 23 December 2020
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Current status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 7 January 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what financial support is available to people who are required to self-isolate but who are not eligible for the Self-Isolation Support Grant or Scottish Welfare Fund grants.
Answer
The Scottish Government introduced the £500 Self-Isolation Support Grant on 12 October 2020, to enable low income workers to self-isolate, when required to do so by Test and Protect. This helps to ensure they can self-isolate without suffering a financial loss.
The eligibility criteria were further extended on 7 December to include to people who are eligible for benefits but not currently in receipt of them, and to parents and carers of children who have been told to self-isolate.
Those who are ineligible for the SISG may however be eligible for an emergency grant from their local authority. Scottish Welfare Fund Crisis Grants are available to all people regardless of their current benefit eligibility. They are specifically designed to provide a safety net when an emergency situation occurs and there is no other way to cover costs.
In addition, support can provided via the Local Self-Isolation Support Service which is a proactive outbound call service operated by local authorities. The service calls people who are self-isolating, and who are happy to pass on their details. This service helps with support to access food, medication, and other essentials, whilst also signposting to further advice services.
Help can also be provided by contacting The National Assistance Helpline on 0800 111 4000 which anyone can contact, and operates between 09.00 to 17.00 every weekday.