If you are affected by coronavirus or its effect on the economy, there is a wide range of support available.
Please see below for information about the changes the government has brought in to support people who are already claiming benefits, need to claim benefits, or are at risk of losing their job as a result of coronavirus.
Sick Pay
If you cannot work due to coronavirus and are eligible for Statutory Sick Pay you will get it from day one, rather than from the fourth day of your illness. This applies retrospectively from 13 March 2020.
For further information please see the gov.uk website (external link).
Making a new claim
If you have lost your job or are working reduced hours you may be able to claim:
- Universal Credit
- New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance (New Style JSA)
- New Style Employment and Support Allowance (New Style ESA)
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
For further information please see the gov.uk website (external link).
Housing
Universal Credit can include help towards your housing costs.
Local Housing Allowance rates have been increased to the 30th percentile of market rents. This applies to all private renters who are new Universal Credit claimants, or have an existing Universal Credit claim that includes a housing element, and to existing Housing Benefit claimants.
For further information please see the gov.uk website (external link).
Already claiming benefits
To find out information on:
- Managing your Universal Credit Claim
- Your Universal Credit Payments
- Changes to jobcentre appointments
- Changes to health assessments
- Changes to how much you will get
- Self-isolation support payments
- Changes to your earnings
- Self employment
- Childcare costs during the coronavirus outbreak
Please see the gov.uk website (external link).
Self-employment
Financial support could be available if you are self-employed and your business has been affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
For further information please see the gov.uk website (external link).
Employers
There’s a range of support available to help employers deal with the consequences of the coronavirus outbreak.
For further information please see the gov.uk website (external link).
Furlough
If you and your employer both agree, your employer might be able to keep you on the payroll even if they are unable to operate, or have less or no work for you to do, because of coronavirus. This is known as being ‘on furlough’.
For further information please see the gov.uk website (external link).
Redundancy
If you’ve been made redundant, financial support may be available whilst you look for your next job.
For further information please see the gov.uk website (external link).