Coronavirus: Universal Credit and benefits claimants urged to contact job centres if they are unable to work
BRITS on Universal Credit who have to self-isolate over coronavirus are being urged to contact job centres so they don't get sanctioned.
The six-in-one benefits system requires individuals to complete a certain number of hours of work, attend meetings or search for a job in order to receive welfare support.
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If they don't, they could face sanctions.
But thanks to the spread of coronavirus some job centres are already having to deal with people who are self isolating - and who could be unable to fulfil their commitments.
Having to be sent home from work or look after a child if a school is shut could have a knock-on impact for Brits on Universal Credit, or other benefits.
A Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) spokesperson said: "Our staff are ready to support people who are impacted - we urge them to contact us by phone, or their work coach via their online journal, to explain their situation.
"Anyone not eligible to receive sick pay is able to claim Universal Credit and/or contributory Employment and Support Allowance."
The warning came as:
- 40 cases of coronavirus have now been confirmed in Britain - including at least one who caught the disease in Britain
- Thirty-five schools are now on lockdown amid pandemic fears
- Rugby has already been hit by the postponement of next week’s Six Nations clash between Ireland and virus-plagued Italy
- Millions could be told to work from home to stop it spreading further in emergency plans under consideration
- The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development slashed the 2020 global growth forecast by 0.5 per cent over the outbreak
- New chancellor Rishi Sunak was warned his budget plans may be blown apart due to the coronavirus causing massive economic disruption
- The EU warned the virus could cause huge disruption to the economy and society
Anyone on the flagship benefits system who needs to self-isolate or do fewer hours is urged to report it in their online journals.
Ministers have already said that anyone who has to stay at home due to the spread of the killer bug should be entitled to claim sick pay.
Brits who have returned from Wuhan, Iran, parts of Korea and Italy are told to self-isolate and stay at home if they have come back from there in the last 14 days.
GMB union demanded that the Government give everyone the right to normal pay during any period they have to self-isolate.
Your rights if you have to take time off work as coronavirus fears spread across the UK
- UK workers are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) so long as they have started working for an employer, are sick for at least four days in a row and earn on average at least £118 per week (£6,136 per year)
- These rules still apply if you are working on a part-time or fixed-term contract
- Citizens Advice also recommends asking for sick pay if you are on a zero hours contract and to ask for an explanation if they refuse
- Your employer can choose to pay you your full salary while you are off sick but the statutory minimum entitlement is currently £94.25 per week
- Some may require you to provide a letter from a doctor after five days, but it will vary based on your contract
- If you think your boss is refusing to pay you what you think you are owed, tell them they must fill in a government sick pay form explaining their reasons and handed it back to you
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Nadine Houghton, GMB National Officer, said today: "Leaving low paid workers with the choice of either losing their wages or coming into work despite suspected COVID-19 infections is a serious public health crisis."
Gig workers and those on zero hours contracts may be entitled to sick pay and can check the
If they are not, they may be eligible to claim Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance.
What to do if you're worried you've got coronavirus
The new coronavirus is continuing to sweep its way across the globe with Britain seeing more cases in people who aren't linked to outbreaks overseas.
Symptoms of Covid-19 can include:
- a cough
- a high temperature
- difficulty breathing
In most cases, you won't know whether you have a coronavirus or a different cold-causing virus.
But if a coronavirus infection spreads to the lower respiratory tract, it can cause pneumonia, especially in older people, people with heart disease or people with weakened immune systems.
It is incredibly contagious and is spread through contact with anything the virus is on as well as infected breath, coughs or sneezes.
The best way to prevent catching any form of coronavirus is to practice good hygiene.
If you have cold-like symptoms, you can help protect others by staying home when you are sick and avoiding contact with others.
You should also cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough and sneeze then throw it away and wash your hands.
Cleaning and disinfecting objects and surfaces which you may have touched is also important.
If you have returned from Wuhan in the last 14 days:
- Stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with other flu viruses
- Call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the city
- your recent travel to the city
If you are in Northern Ireland, call your GP.
Please follow this advice even if you do not have symptoms of the virus.
Meanwhile, leading symptom-checking provider to the NHS has been updated to help identify patients' risk of having coronavirus.
Source: NHS