Social Security Benefits: Coronavirus

(asked on 23rd June 2020) - View Source

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will bring forward proposals to increase financial support for key workers who need to self-isolate due to showing covid-19 symptoms.


Answered by
Will Quince Portrait
Will Quince
This question was answered on 30th June 2020

As part of the Government’s strategy to support people affected by COVID 19, DWP has made a number of changes to make sure people can self-isolate, and to ensure people who need financial help have access to the benefit system.

  • We have introduced new provisions making Statutory Sick Pay payable from day 1 – as opposed to day 4 – where an eligible individual is sick, self-isolating or shielding (in England and Wales).
  • If their income is reduced while sick or self-isolating and they require further financial support, individuals may be able to claim Universal Credit and new style Employment and Support Allowance, depending on their individual circumstances.

We have increased the Universal Credit standard allowance by £20 per week for the next 12 months – up to £1,040 this year. This is in addition to the 1.7% inflation increase (announced Nov 2019) as part of the Government’s decision to end the benefits freeze and means more financial support for millions of people across the UK.

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