How to help employees needing to self-isolate

Financial and practical support is available for people who need to self-isolate in the event of a positive result for COVID-19.

By Helping Hands and Local Emergency Support teams, Buckinghamshire Council

Financial and practical support for self-isolators

From August 16th, some of the rules around self-isolation are changing, however, the need to self-isolate if someone tests positive for COVID-19 will remain. Self-isolation continues to be a key tool in containing future outbreaks of COVID-19.

To support this process, Government has provided a number of support mechanisms for those unable to work from home - including the £500 Test and Trace (T&T) Payment for those on low incomes (extended until end of September 2021), and assistance grants for the self-employed (online applications opening from end of July 2021).

Wherever practical, please allow staff to work from home. If the role cannot be completed while working from home, there are a number of ways that employers can help with self-isolation, including:

  • contractual or statutory sick pay (SSP)
  • the use of paid leave
  • promoting T&T support payments for those on low incomes

There is also a discretionary payment which is in addition to any SSP they may be entitled to, so please encourage employees to visit the Buckinghamshire Council website to check eligibility.  

Can your business reclaim SSP payments? Businesses with fewer than 250 employees may be able to reclaim SSP payments. For advice on how to do this, read the latest government guidance here.

Helping Hand team can help with food, prescriptions and more

In addition to the financial implications of self-isolation, Local Authorities have been awarded grants to specifically encourage effective self-isolation by providing practical support.

In the event that employees are struggling for practical reasons to self-isolate, or if family and friends are unable to help, the Helping Hand team can signpost or provide practical support, including access to food, prescription delivery, wellbeing support and many other requests.

The team work closely with local charities and other organisations, some of which require a referral from a professional body in order for residents to access their support, which the council is able to provide.

In addition, the Bucks Online Directory provides a wealth of information regarding support that is available within your local community.

Making grant applications for support with rent arrears or other financial needs?

In some circumstances, the Helping Hand Team may be able to help with grant applications for additional financial support – for instance, assistance with rent arrears, providing the support will prevent further debt.

Helping Hand, as one of the council's responses to the pandemic, continues to provide support to the most vulnerable residents in Buckinghamshire. This initiative was established in December 2020, through a government grant, to support people affected by the pandemic where alternative sources of assistance may be unavailable, with a particular focus on families with children requiring additional assistance for food and warmth support.

Please share our contact details with your staff:

Further support services

Our Local Emergency Support (LES) team can also be contacted for help with urgent short-term emergencies (i.e. no immediate food, no heating or lighting).

Help from voluntary and charity organisations is also available. Please use our online directory to find local support.

By Helping Hands and Local Emergency Support teams, Buckinghamshire Council

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