Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, by what date the first payments will be made from the new death in service benefit.

The Government launched the NHS and Social Care Coronavirus Life Assurance Scheme on 20 May 2020 and applications could be made from that date. The scheme is non-contributory and pays a £60,000 lump sum where frontline National Health Service and social staff who had been recently working where personal care is provided to individuals who have contracted COVID-19 die as a result of the virus.

The scheme is time-limited and will remain open whilst Section 45 of the Coronavirus Act 2020 remains in effect. Deaths which occurred before the announcement of the scheme will also be considered.

Where a death falls within the scheme, payment will be made within 30 days of the claimant providing a certified claim for and supporting documentation to the scheme administrator.