Self-Isolation Support Grant
The Scottish Government is providing a grant of £250 to people who are in receipt of low income benefits and who will lose income as a result of being asked to self-isolate by Test and Protect to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The Self-Isolation Support Grant (SISG) will close on 5 January 2023. If you booked a PCR test through the SISG portal on or before this date, you can apply for the grant up to 28 days from your positive PCR test result.
If you’re eligible for the grant and were unable to apply within 28 days from your positive PCR test result, your local council may be able to consider your application. This is only if you were unable to apply within the 28 days because of something that you could not control.
Who can apply
To apply you must meet all of the following
- Have from 1 May 2022 have been advised by the Test and Protect Service to stay at home as a result of COVID-19, because they have tested positive for coronavirus; or
- are the identified appropriate parent or primary carer of a child under 16 who has a positive PCR test for coronavirus
- are the identified appropriate carer of a person over 16 who has a positive PCR test for coronavirus are employed or self-employed;
- are unable to work from home and will face reduced earnings as a result of self-isolating (we are working with local authorities to ensure that it is as easy as possible for people to demonstrate this); and
- are currently receiving, have been awarded but not yet received a payment of, or have underlying eligibility (would ordinarily be entitled should an application have been made) for Universal Credit or one of the other named benefits based on earnings prior to their isolation period; or
- are an individual who earns less than the Real Living Wage threshold
If you have no recourse to public funds or are an EEA national without settled status you will not be in receipt of the benefits listed but must be able to demonstrate you have a low income.
Evidence requirements
You will need to provide the following evidence to prove you are eligible.
- proof that you are in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits
- proof of low income if you are not in receipt of a qualifying benefit
- a recent bank statement
- proof of employment or self-employment and that you cannot work from home
- if no recourse to public funds, a letter from immigration or your passport confirming no recourse
When a grant cannot be paid
A grant cannot be paid if
- Test and Protect Service has not requested that you self-isolate.
- Test and Protect requested that you self isolate before 28 September 2020
- you are not employed or self-employed.
For example, you would not qualify if you are self-isolating because you are returning to the UK after being abroad or because you feel that you have symptoms and haven't been tested. If you are self-isolating under any other circumstances and you are struggling financially then you should apply for a Crisis Grant.
If you self isolate on or after May 12 2022
If you have been asked to self isolate on or after Thursday 12 May you must check your eligibility for a Self-Isolation Support Grant on the Scottish Government website. Once your eligibility has been confirmed you will be directed to the online application form.
If you do not satisfy the criteria but are in a financial crisis please visit the Scottish Welfare Fund page as you may be eligible for a Crisis Grant.
Self-Isolation Support Grant application line
This line is for applications only when you are unable to apply online. We are not able to provide updates over the telephone.
Our telephone opening times are Monday to Thursday 10am to 4.45pm and Friday 10am to 3.40pm
0131 469 2922
