People in Sheffield are confused about which Covid-19 grants they should apply for
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The £500 grants are given to people on low incomes who will lose money because they are self isolating for a fortnight and can’t work.
The Government has made the money available and it’s distributed by the council.
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Hide AdDeputy Council Leader Terry Fox said there had been some confusion between the test and trace grants and another fund called the emergency assistance grant, which is for people struggling to afford food and other essentials but who are not self isolating.
He said: “We have received 376 applications for emergency assistance grants, two have been made and 14 are pending awaiting further information. The total value of the awards paid out is £704.
“We have declined 36, mainly because the applicant has applied for this grant instead of the test and trace support payment in error.
“We are contacting everyone who has done this and assisting them to apply for the test and trace support instead. ”
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Hide AdThere has been criticism that the test andtrace grants of £500 are not enough to support someone for a fortnight of lost wages.
Director of Public Health Greg Fell told a recent meeting: “There’s a £500 payment available for two weeks but it’s not enough.
“If you have to isolate via the app, you don’t get the money which is a fault of the app. I hope this is being addressed by the Department of Health and the NHS track and trace.”