It is expected that more people across the UK are likely to be affected by the Coronavirus and may need to self-quarantine and take time off work if they become ill. The government has put in place a range of measures to help people during these somewhat difficult and uncertain times.
Check to see what help you may be eligible for by reading the guidance from the Department for Work and Pensions below.
For people already claiming support
Special arrangements will be in place for people in receipt of benefits who cannot attend reassessments or jobcentre appointments because they are required to stay at home or are infected by coronavirus.
- Claimants who cannot attend a reassessment for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit will continue to receive their payments while their assessment is rearranged.
- People who need to claim ESA or Universal Credit because of coronavirus will not be required to produce a Fit Note.
- When claimants tell us in good time that they are staying at home or that they have been diagnosed with coronavirus, they will not be sanctioned. We will review their conditionality requirements in their claimant commitment, to ensure they are reasonable.
- Claimants who are staying at home as a result of coronavirus will have their mandatory work search and work availability requirements removed to account for a period of sickness.
For people who need to make a new claim for financial support
We understand people who are required to stay at home or are infected by coronavirus may need financial support.
- Those affected by coronavirus will be able to apply for Universal Credit and can receive an advance without physically attending a jobcentre.
- The seven waiting days for Employment and Support Allowance for new claimants suffering from coronavirus or required to stay at home will not apply, so it will be payable from day one.
Employees and self-employed people
To make sure people in work can take the necessary time off to stay at home if they are suffering from coronavirus or to prevent its spread, changes have been made to Statutory Sick Pay and how Universal Credit supports self-employed claimants.
- People who cannot work due to coronavirus and are eligible for Statutory Sick Pay will get it from day one, rather than from the fourth day of their illness. We intend this measure to apply retrospectively from 13 March
- Statutory Sick Pay will be payable to people who are staying at home on Government advice, not just those who are infected, this measure will apply from 13 March. Employers are urged to use their discretion about what evidence, if any, they ask for.
- If employees need to provide evidence to their employer that they need to stay at home due to coronavirus, they will be able to get it from NHS 111 Online instead of having to get a Fit Note from their doctor. This is currently under development and will be made available soon.
- Self-employed claimants on Universal Credit who are required to stay at home or are ill as a result of coronavirus will not have a Minimum Income Floor (an assumed level of income) applied for a period of time while affected.
Businesses
The Government wants to ensure businesses are supported to deal with the temporary economic impacts of an outbreak of coronavirus.
Employers with fewer than 250 employees will be able to reclaim Statutory Sick Pay for employees unable to work because of coronavirus. This refund will be for up to two weeks per employee.
For more information visit the following websites:
- Understanding Universal Credit for more information about claiming benefits
- Guidance for employers and businesses
Youth Employment UK have also created some top tips for those people who are working from home and may need to use online meetings to work. For employers we have some recommendations on how you can support young staff during this time.
