UPDATE: Covid-19 19 March 2020 19 March 2020 0 3751 UPDATE: Covid-19 Department of Work & Pensions Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information about coronavirus and claiming benefits. Guidance for employers and businesses. Guidance for professionals helping people in education, transport and other sectors. Advice for the general public. The coronavirus action plan, a public guide to the UK’s plans to tackle the coronavirus outbreak. People Affected by COVID-19 Statutory Sick Pay What the budget announces Extension of Statutory Sick Pay to self-isolators and those caring for self-isolators Can soon use NHS 111 to get a fit note at 7 days instead of going to the GP. (DWP/DHSC to set out more details soon). How it works Paid by employers for up to 28 weeks to employees with average weekly earnings of at least £118 per week. Usually paid from 4th consecutive day of an absence (brought forward to 1st day for CV-19 cases). DWP and the NHS are urgently developing the alternative which will be available in the coming weeks. The alternative will enable people who are advised to self-isolate to obtain evidence via NHS111 that they can use as evidence for absence from work, where necessary. It will be a web-based summary which people can download. Further details will be set out in due course, including provision for those who cannot access online services. Who is eligible Employees who earn over £118 per week from a single employer Doesn’t include: People earning less than £118 per week and self-employed people Entitlement £94.25 per week (£95.85 from 6th April) Universal Credit What the budget announces For those directly affected or self-isolating due to Covid-19, Universal Credit advances will be available online / via phone (no attendance requirements) The Minimum Income Floor will be temporarily relaxed for those self-employed claimants directly affected by Covid-19 for the duration of the outbreak A carer could benefit if (1) they are self-employed and therefore subject to the MIF; and (2) the person they care for has been advised to self-isolate (or they themselves are advised to self-isolate).&nb