What help you can get if you’re on Universal Credit or benefits and affected by coronavirus
HOUSEHOLDS on Universal Credit do not need to attend a job centre appointment in person for the next three months, the government has confirmed.
From March 19, cases can be handled online or over the phone and will be assessed individually the Department for Work and Pensions has said.
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People can still make applications for the benefit system online with interviews taking place over the phone.
Jobcentres will remain open and will continue to support people who are not able to use phones and online systems, including those who are homeless.
On Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson put the UK into lockdown, banning all non-essential travel and ordering the closure of all non-essential shops.
By telling the public to self-isolate, experts hope to prevent the spread of coronavirus and relieve the pressure on the NHS.
While Jobcenters are considered to be essential, the DWP wants to discourage people having to leave their homes if it's not necessary to.
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Normally, failure to show up to a Jobcentre appointment can leave them being sanctioned and their benefit payments reduced as a result.
Previously, only those who have to self-isolate were exempt from attending the meetings but now this has been extended to everyone claiming Universal Credit.
The government has said those who display symptoms or who've come into contact with someone who's infected with the illness to self-isolate for seven days.
For those living with other people everyone in the household needs to self isolate for 14 days, according to the latest advice.
Those who can work from home are now doing so and all schools were shut last week.
We've put together a guide to your rights to sick pay if you're in a full-time job or on a zero-hour contract if you have to self-isolate.
But those who are self-employed or in the gig economy may be worse hit than others if they have to take time off work.
Here's how you can get help if your income drops because you have to self-isolating during the coronavirus outbreak:
Advance payment
Those who aren't entitled to sick pay are advised by the government to apply to Universal Credit if they can't pay the bills due to having to self-isolate.
If you're new to the system, you can take out an advance loan, or advance payment, to help you get through the five-week wait period for your first payout.
What to do if you have problems claiming Universal Credit
IF you're experiencing trouble applying for your Universal Credit, or the payments just don't cover costs, here are your options:
Apply for an advance - Claimants are able to get some cash within five days rather than waiting weeks for their first payment. But it's a loan which means the repayments will be automatically deducted from your future Universal Credit pay out.
Alternative Payment Arrangements- If you're falling behind on rent, you or your landlord may be able to apply for an APA which will get your payment sent directly to your landlord. You might also be able to change your payments to get them more frequently, or you can split the payments if you're part of a couple.
Budgeting Advance - You may be able to get help from the government to help with emergency household costs of up to £348 if you're single, £464 if you're part of a couple or £812 if you have children. These are only in cases like your cooker breaking down or for help getting a job. You'll have to repay the advance through your regular Universal Credit payments. You'll still have to repay the loan, even if you stop claiming for Universal Credit.
Cut your Council Tax - You might be able to get a discount on your Council Tax or be entitled to Discretionary Housing Payments if your payments aren't enough to cover your rent.
Foodbanks - If you're really hard up and struggling to buy food and toiletries, you can find your local foodbank who will provide you with help for free. You can find your nearest one on the
Claimants can borrow up to 100 per cent of their estimated payment but you can also ask for less.
It's an interest-free loan which means you will only pay back what you borrow. But remember, you will be expected to pay it back.
The money will be transferred to you within three working days and is supposed to last the full five weeks before your first payment.
You're allowed to request the loan from the moment you first apply for Universal Credit until the date you get your first payment.
You'll need to apply via your online journal and you'll usually be told the same day if you will get it.
Budgeting Advance
If you’re on Universal Credit, you can apply for a Budgeting Advance to help with unexpected costs such as replacing white goods, starting a new job, or funeral costs.
Having to take time off work unexpectedly due to coronavirus may be counted as an unexpected cost.
The smallest amount you can borrow is £100, and you can get up to £384 if you’re single, £464 if you’re part of a couple, or £812 if you have children.
How much you're entitled to depends on how many savings that you have and your ability to pay the loan back.
You can only get this loan if you’ve been on Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance or State Pension Credit for six months or more.
The only way you can get it before six months is if you need the money to help you start a job or stay in work.
If you’ve earned more than £2,600 (or £3,600 combined for couples) in the last six months, or you haven’t paid off a previous Budget Advance loan, you won’t be able to apply.
Contact your local .
Flexible Support Fund (FSF)
The Flexible Support Fund (FSF) is designed to help you back into work by covering the costs of getting a job.
What's the difference between a grant and a loan?
SOME types of extra cash offered to those on benefits are called grants, whilst others are called loans.
The difference is that a loan requires you to repay the money that you borrow, but a grant does not.
You usually have to pay interest on loans, and repay them within a set period.
It is important that you check the terms of the loan you are being given, as some can only be used for certain things.
Some grants can also only be used to purchase certain things, and may require receipts.
Speak to the provider of your loan or grant to make sure you're eligible.
The money can be used to cover the costs of training for a job, travel to interviews, childcare, work tools, uniforms, and more.
There no set maximum amount that can be awarded and it will vary from case to case.
Once you find a job, you'll have 14 days to provide the job centre with receipts for any goods and services that you paid for using the grant.
To find out more, contact your local job centre or .
Charity Grants
Some charities can give out grants to eligible families who are struggling to make ends meet.
These aren't loans and you don't have to pay them back.
Usually, charitable funds are set up to help people in need who have something in common, such as where they live, age, gender or health condition.
You can use the to find what charity payouts you may be entitled to if you're struggling.
Cold Weather Payments
If self-isolating stops you from working and you're short of cash to pay the bills, you may be able to get £25 a week towards the cost of your heating.
The Cold Weather Payment is only available for each week where the temperature has consistently remained below zero between November 1 and March 31.
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Whether you get it or not depends on the temperature in your local area, which you can track using the DWP's
You will receive the Cold Weather Payment automatically.
But if you think you should have but haven't you should contact the or
If you’re getting Universal Credit, sign in to and add a note to your journal.