Decision details

Date of Decision:

8 October 2020

Decision Maker:

(Including Job Title)

Judith Badger

Strategic Director of Finance and Customer Services

Specific Delegation:

(If any)

Non-specific

Brief Description of Decision:

Following the announcement of governments Self-Isolation Support Payments scheme on 20^th September 2020, the Council was required to establish a process for the processing of support payments but also for the assessment and approval of any discretionary applications.  As per governments guidance the Council will ensure that all discretionary applications meet the following basic criteria;

·       have been told to stay at home and self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, either because they have tested positive for coronavirus or have recently been in close contact with someone who has tested positive;

·       are employed or self-employed; and

·       are unable to work from home and will lose income as a result.

In addition, Council officers who specialise in the review of benefits claims and financial hardship claims for areas such as Discretionary Hardship Payments will assess the information provided on the claimant’s financial hardship. This information will be used to make an informed decision to award a discretionary payment or not.

Reasons for the Decision:

To ensure that financial hardship assessments that will define the award of a discretionary self-isolation support payment are made by Council officers who specialise in this area and that the Council adheres to government guidance.

Details of alternative options considered and rejected:

Whilst consideration of percentage or value of income losses seen by individuals as a mechanism for assessing discretionary applications was considered, given the wide variety of circumstances individuals could have this was not viewed to be appropriate.

Conflicts of interest declared by any Executive Member consulted by the decision maker which relates to the decision:

No conflicts of interest

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

None

Reports or parts of reports considered

Self-Isolation Support Payments & discretionary payments