FOI request (FOIR-292848950)

Funding for self isolation payments

Requested Thu 07 January 2021
Responded Fri 29 January 2021

Sorry to bother you at a busy time, and I hope you're doing well. I was hoping you could help with a freedom of information request regarding the self-isolation payments administered by councils. I noticed you have a similar request, but it didn't cover some of the questions around funding and I thought the numbers may have changed since November.

My questions are below. Please could I get a response to as many as possible by email (in whatever format best suits you, whether that's within the email text, in a word doc, or spreadsheet) to my email address.

As of 6th January 2021:

1. How many self-isolation payments have been made?

2. How many of these were discretionary?

3. How many applications have been received for:

a. the main payment?

b. for the discretionary payment?

4. What eligibility criteria has been used for the discretionary payment?

5. How much funding was given for the main payment and how much has been used so far?

6. How much funding was given or the discretionary payment and how much has been used so far?

7. How many of those who have received a self-isolation payment were:

a. in work?

b. receiving benefits?

c. had no recourse to public funds?

8. Is there a breakdown of those who have received payments by gender, age and ethnicity?

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Response

As at 21st January 10.05 am the situation is as follows:

1. 135 self-isolation payments made.

2. 61 discretionary scheme payments made.

3. 634 applications for scheme altogether - we are unable to necessarily confirm if main scheme or discretionary until we start to consider and check if they are in receipt of a qualifying benefit.

4. Have a normal gross weekly pay (before tax) of between £130 and £450. We will require proof of this income prior to awarding any payment under the discretionary scheme. Not hold more than £10,000 in capital. By capital we mean any money held in any form, for example bank/building society accounts, shares, investments and so on.

5. Funding for main scheme - were given £52,500, used £37,500

6. Funding for discretionary - scheme was given £55,999.62, used £30,500

7a. All 135 will have had to have been employed or self-employed to be eligible

7b. 74 would have been in receipt of a qualifying benefit (main scheme), 61 would not have been in receipt of a qualifying benefit (discretionary scheme)

7c. Information not held

8. Information not held