Decision details

Discretionary Test and Trace Support Payments (TTSP)

Decision Maker: Section 151 Officer

Decision status: Recommendations approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decision:

Details of decision: 

The Chief Executive approved the adoption of a Discretionary Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme for Somerset West & Taunton.  The scheme is detailed in Appendix 1.

 

This decision amends the discretionary scheme so that the following additional eligibility criteria will apply to applications received on or after 30 November 2020:

 

An applicant must not possess capital of £1,000 or more;

An applicant must pay rent to a landlord who is not a close relative, or pay a mortgage (and not be on a ‘mortgage holiday’);

Only one Test and Trace Support Payment will be made per household

 

This amendment is taken in accordance with para 19.2 of the Test and Trace Discretionary Support Payment scheme which states that ‘Officers of the Council will administer the scheme and the Section 151 Officer is authorised to make technical scheme amendments to ensure it continues to meet the criteria set by the Council and, in line with Central Government guidance’.

 

The changes have been recommended by the Benefits Specialist, after reviewing all successful discretionary applications and considering whether the successful applicants were suffering hardship as a result of having to self-isolate.

 

Cllr Ross Henley, Portfolio Holder, was consulted on 19 November 2020 about the changes.

 

Background:

 

From 28 September 2020, central Government introduced legislation requiring certain people to self-isolate to reduce the spread of coronavirus which included a package of measures to ensure those who need to self-isolate and are on a low-income can get help towards their finances to encourage compliance with the new rules.

 

From 28 September 2020, certain individuals will be entitled to a Test and Trace Support Payment (TTSP) of £500 if they meet prescribed criteria.  The scheme will be administered by local councils such as Somerset West and Taunton and, at the present time, will run until 31 January 2021.

           

Government has also provided SWT with £36k with which to make £500 payments to people who are required to self-isolate but do not meet the criteria within the Government’s standard scheme. This funding will allow us to make a maximum of 73 £500 Local Discretionary Test and Trace Support payments.

 

As at 24 November 2020, we had paid £32,500 to 65 successful applicants. At this rate, we will run out of funds to pay discretionary payments in December 2020 and will have to close the scheme earlier than the anticipated end date of 31 January 2021.

 

Details of the revisions made to the discretionary scheme are set out in Appendix 2.

 

 

Reasons for proposed decision: 

 

The scheme changes provides our approach to awarding the discretionary Test and Trace Support Payments in order to:

§  Provide financial support for those on low incomes in order to practically support their ability to self-isolate, and thereby control the spread of Coronavirus;

§  Ensure the total monies awarded remain within the limited funding made available;

§  Include reasonable safeguards to avoid fraudulent claims;

§  Ensure the scheme is manageable from an administrative perspective;

§  Meet the expectations around purpose and timescale set by Government.

 

 

Alternative options considered and rejected: 

 

We considered closing the scheme once we had exhausted the original funds from central Government but believe these changes best targets the remaining funding available to meet the objective of supporting those on low incomes to self-isolate, in a transparent, equitable and administratively efficient way. 

 

Publication date: 01/12/2020

Date of decision: 24/11/2020

Accompanying Documents: