Covid-19: Variations to Isolation (Sickness) Benefit February 2021

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A decision made on 1 March 2021

Decision Reference: MD-S-2021-0023
Decision Summary Title :	DS – Variations to Covid19 Isolation (Sickness) Benefit – February 2021		Date of Decision Summary:	25/02/2021
Decision Summary Author:	Senior Policy Officer		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title :	WR – Variations to Covid19 Isolation (Sickness) Benefit – February 2021		Date of Written Report:	25/02/2021
Written Report Author:	Senior Policy Officer		Written Report: Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Variations to the Covid-19 Isolation/Sickness Benefit – February 2021
Decision(s): The Minister decided to vary the Covid 19 Isolation Benefit scheme in relation to the provision of documents and proofs in respect of self-isolation and make a minor change to the policy in relation to backdated claims.
Reason(s) for Decision: Covid 19 Sickness Benefit or Isolation Benefit as it is now referred to, was introduced (effective from 12 February 2020) to allow people to claim the standard rate of benefit via an online form if they need to self-isolate in line with public health advice as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. In making this decision to further vary the scheme the Minister is applying a more robust logging and checking mechanism for isolation benefit claims and paving the way for the smoother processing of claims in the future. It also gives people more time to make a claim in cases where a person who is isolating tests positive on day 10 of their isolation period. This decision formalises the variations to the administration of isolation benefit which have been agreed by the Minister following discussions with officers. These updates to the scheme are effective immediately and will follow the implementation dates included in the attached report. The changes will remain in force until the scheme ends.
Resource Implications: There are no additional manpower or resource implications to the variations being applied. The cost of the Covid 19 sickness benefit is met by the Social Security Fund and the Customer and Local Services budget allocated to Income Support.
Action required: Senior Policy Officer to inform the Group Director of Customer and Local Services and Deputy Medical Officer of Health that the scheme has been varied and to request that the required changes to the online application form be made.
Signature: Deputy J A Martin		Position: Minister for Social Security
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):