Martin Lewis has urged parents to check whether they can claim £500 if their child can't go to school.
The cash is usually given to those on low incomes who have been told to self-isolate and can't go to work.
But Money Saving Expert Martin has told parents that the £500 payment can be triggered if their child has been told to stay home from school - reports Mirror Online.
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Children could have to stay home because someone in their class has tested positive for coronavirus.
In a tweet sent by Martin today, the financial guru urged parents to “spread the word” if they've been affected.
He said: “Many children are being sent home by school due to someone in class / year group bubble testing +ve for Covid.
“If so, and you then can't work due to needing to be home with them, this (not just NHS test & trace) can trigger the £500 payment for those on low incomes.”
Who is eligible for the £500 support payment
The £500 sum is known as the Test and Trace Support Payment. If you've been told to self-isolate, it could be worth seeing if you're eligible for the help.
According to the government website, you may be able to claim the cash if you're on a low income and have been told to self-isolate due to coronavirus.
The guidance says: "You may be eligible if you are employed or self-employed, cannot work from home, and will lose income as a result.
"You can only apply if you’ve been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, notified to self-isolate by the NHS COVID-19 app, or you’re the parent or guardian of a child who has been told to self-isolate."
It is a legal requirement to self-isolate, if you've been told to do so by the NHS Test and Trace app.
The full criteria is as follows:
- You’ve been told to stay at home and self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace or the NHS COVID-19 app, either because you’ve tested positive for COVID-19 or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive
- You’ve responded to messages from NHS Test and Trace and have provided any legally required information, such as details of your close recent contacts
- You’re employed or self-employed
- You’re unable to work from home and will lose income as a result of self-isolating
- You’re currently receiving or are the partner of someone in the same household who is receiving, at least one of the following benefits: Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Income-based Employment and Support Allowance, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit or Pension Credit.
If you’re not on one of these benefits, you might still be able to apply for a £500 discretionary payment if:
- You meet all the other criteria listed above
- You’re on a low income
- You will face financial hardship as a result of self-isolating
Your council will tell you what counts as low income and financial hardship, and whether you’re eligible.
What are the rules for parents and guardians?
Parents and guardians of a child who has been told to self-isolate might be eligible for a £500 Test and Trace Support Payment or discretionary payment if all the following apply:
- You’re the parent or guardian of a child in your household who is self-isolating, and you need to take time off work to care for them
- Your child is aged 15 or under, or aged 25 or under with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan, normally attends an education or childcare setting, and has been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace or by their education or childcare setting
- You’re unable to work from home and will lose income because you have to care for your child while they are self-isolating
- You meet all the other eligibility criteria for a Test and Trace Support Payment or discretionary payment
How to apply for the £500 support payment
If you believe you're eligible, and you live in England, you can apply for the £500 payment through your local council.
You can search for the contact details for your local authority via the Gov.uk website.
As well as providing details about yourself, will need to prove your child has been told to self-isolate.
