Top Tips for Carers Affected by the Coronavirus

With the south east being plunged into tier 4, our workers are regularly being affected by coronavirus (COVID-19). Many are coming into contact with individuals testing positive or notified by the track and trace app that they need to isolate.

HappyCareOne is a care agency, partnering the happiest staff in the south east of England, with the top care homes.

As a result we recognise that coronavirus can and has caused much stress and many issues in terms of household cash flow and reductions in income. We’re always providing a useful information to our staff directly but thought we’d share the love with the entire care industry.

The good news is that care homes have been encouraged to continue paying staff during periods of isolation. The government are encouraging them by way of grants and have actually put together a fund that care homes can receive payments from. This fund is designed for the contingency of the care home industry to continue paying staff and other necessities during these tough times.

In this article we’ll provide useful links and information as to what you can claim and how to claim it.

The Adult Social Care Infection Control Fund

On the 13th of May 2020 the government announced an additional £600 million to support providers through a new adult social care infection control fund. The fund will support adult social care providers to reduce the rate of transmission in and between care homes and support wider workforce resilience. This will be allocated to local authorities and is in addition to the funding already provided to support the adult social care sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If this isn’t currently being used with the home you work within, you can share a link to this article with your employer and encourage them to apply for funding.

Here’s a link to read more in relation to the fund itself, taken directly from the .Gov website: www.gov.uk/carehomesupport

Grant for carers who have to isolate

If you’ve been told to self-isolate by the NHS Test and Trace on or after 28 September 2020, it’s a legal requirement to self-isolate. Failure to do so could result in a fine of up to £1,000. Not only that, if your employer was to find out it could result in severe disciplinary action.

If you’ve received a notification via the NHS COVID-19 app to self-isolate as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for coronavirus, and you make an application for the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme, you will also come under the legal obligation to self-isolate during this application process.

The good news is, you could be eligible for a £500 Test and Trace Support Payment if you live in England and meet all the following criteria:

• 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 have tested positive for coronavirus or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive

• you’ve responded to messages received from the track and trace app and have provided any legally required information

• 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:

  • Universal Credit

  • Working Tax Credit

  • income-based Employment and Support Allowance

  • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

  • Income Support

  • Housing Benefit

  • Pension Credit

If you’re not on one of these benefits, you could be eligible for a £500 discretionary payment if all the following apply:

• 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

Amounts and requirements may vary from council to council. The Hastings Borough Council’s requirements are:

• A normal weekly gross (before tax) wage of between £130 and £450

• Total capital below £10,000. Capital may consist of savings, investments or shares

You can make a claim for the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme or a discretionary payment up to 14 days after your period of self-isolation has ended.

If you’re eligible for either the Test and Trace Support Payment or a discretionary payment, you will receive the £500 payment on top of any benefits and Statutory Sick Pay that you currently receive.

See more information about financial and other support

How to Apply

In England, the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme is administered by unitary authorities and district councils. You should contact your local authority to find out how to apply. The requirements for successful application will differ from authority to authority.

Use this link to Apply for a Test and Trace Support Payment

To apply, you will need to provide all of the following:

• A NHS Test and Trace Account ID, sometimes referred to as a CTAS number. You’ll receive this If you test positive for coronavirus, or are told to self-isolate by contact tracers

• proof of receipt of one of the qualifying benefits

• a bank statement

• proof of employment or, if you are self-employed, evidence of self-assessment tax returns, trading income and proof that your business delivers services that cannot be undertaken without social contact

If the NHS COVID-19 app has told you to self-isolate because you’ve been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus, you will need to follow some additional steps to request your NHS Test and Trace Account ID.

It’s just as important to look after yourself!

It’s so important that you try to remain as connected with friends and family as possible. Try using digital ways like social media, phone calls and skype if possible.

Perhaps your current mechanisms for coping and support are currently not available. Are there any hobbies you could take up, books to read, a TV series to binge or a room to decorate?

Here are some top tips on how you can stay well during long periods of self-isolation:

• Establish daily routines. Routines help to provide structure, purpose and mindfulness

• Set daily goals to give you something to work towards, a true sense of purpose.

• Identify triggers that make you feel low and look for ways to reduce or manage them. I’d recommend reading ‘Atomic Habits’

• Talk with family and friends using mobile phones or laptops to keep in touch and support each other

• Look after yourself. Eat and drink healthily with plenty of fruit, vegetables and water to support your immune system

• Get Active. Exercise and regular movement will maintain fitness and strength. If you are working from home get up, get active!

• Have a good sleep routine. If you struggle, avoid caffeine in the evening, take a bath, use blackout curtains, list to gentle music or try deep breathing techniques

• Play games. The internet is a vibrant place and you can download many multiplayer games directly onto your mobile phone. You can play these with family and friends whilst talking on the phone or Zoom. It’ll be like you’re in the same room!