Somerset West and Taunton Council is working with Sedgemoor District Council to ensure that people are not out of pocket if they are told to self-isolate and cannot work from home.

The two councils have collaborated on a system to administer the Government’s Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme where eligible residents can claim self-isolation payments of £500.

The legal duty to self-isolate came into force on September 28 for people who test positive for Covid-19 or are contacted by NHS Test and Trace app and are required to self-isolate.

The payment scheme opened on Monday (October 12) and is due to run until Friday, January 31. Applications must be made within 14 days of the end of the self-isolation period.

Payments will be made where the qualifying conditions are met:

* Applicants must have been asked by NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate on or after September 28.

* They must be employed or self-employed.

* They must be unable to work from home during the period of self-isolation, resulting in a loss of income.

* They must be in receipt of one of the following benefits: Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit or Pension Credit.

The councils may make a discretionary award where an applicant is not in receipt of one these benefits.

West Somerset applications can be made on the Somerset West and Taunton Council website or call 0300 304 8000 for more information.

Sedgemoor residents, including those living in Nether and Over Stowey, may call 0300 303 7800.