Slow isolation payments in Sheffield 'hampering fight against virus'

A person who has knowledge of the system in both Sheffield and Rotherham says claims in the city are taking between 22 and 25 days to be processed.

This is compared to just three days in Rotherham, who also give the £500 to all who claim and not just those who earn less than £95 a week as they do in Sheffield.

The person, who did not want to be named, said they believed this could have a major effect on whether people do in fact self-isolate in Sheffield and impact the city's ability to control the spread of the deadly virus.

They said: “I think it is ridiculous how long they are taking to do it - It should be processed in three days.

“You could fall behind with your payments and not have money for food.

“If people don't get the money they are going to be under pressure to work and that defeats the whole point of the isolation system.”

As well as the individual payments, businesses that had to close under the Tier 3 restrictions last month are meant to receive money as well.

However, according to the same person, in Sheffield these payments have to wait until the individual claims are processed meaning many businesses will not get their cash for many weeks.

“In Rotherham they have some computer software which helps them process it immediately,” they said.

“But Sheffield Council are printing off each individual application and processing them by hand which is what is taking them so long.

“All councils have got money from the Government to improve test and trace but I think Sheffield have just put it in their accounts.”

A Sheffield City Council spokesperson said: “We understand that there has been an initial delay in processing some of these applications and we apologise to those affected by this.

“We have since increased the number of staff processing applications so that this is done as timely as possible, and all outstanding eligible payments will be made by the 4th December.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.