If you cannot work due to coronavirus and are eligible for Statutory Sick Pay you will get it from day one, rather than from the fourth day of your illness. Statutory Sick Pay will be payable if you are staying at home on Government advice, not just if you are infected by coronavirus. This will apply from 13 March 2020.
If you need to provide evidence to your employer that you need to stay at home due to coronavirus, you will soon be able to get it from NHS 111 Online instead of having to get a Fit Note from your doctor, however, this is currently under development and should be available soon.
If you are not eligible to receive sick pay you can apply for Universal Credit and/or apply for New Style Employment and Support Allowance.
If you’re already claiming benefits – Special arrangements will be in place for people in receipt of benefits who cannot attend health reassessments or jobcentre appointments because they are required to stay at home or are infected by coronavirus.
If you’re already claiming Universal Credit and think you may have been affected by coronavirus, please contact your work coach as soon as possible. You can do this by using your online journal, or by calling the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.
If you are disabled or sick and cannot attend a reassessment for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit, you will continue to receive your payments whilst your new assessment is rearranged.
You must tell DWP in good time that you are staying at home on Government advice or have been diagnosed with coronavirus, otherwise you may be sanctioned. If you have a Claimant Commitment, it should be reviewed to make sure it is still reasonable and your mandatory work search and work availability requirements should be removed to account for a period of sickness.
If you are self-employed and claiming Universal Credit, and are required to stay at home or are ill as a result of coronavirus, the Minimum Income Floor (an assumed level of income) will not be applied for a period of time whilst you are affected.
If you’re making a new claim – Don’t delay making a benefit claim, even if you think you may be affected by coronavirus. You can apply for Universal Credit online, or if you need help to claim you can call the Citizens Advice Help to Claim line on 0800 1448 444. If you need to claim Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) because of coronavirus, you will not be required to produce a Fit Note.
If you are affected by coronavirus you will be able to apply for Universal Credit and can receive up to a month’s advance upfront without physically attending a jobcentre.
