Which benefit?

There are a number of benefits potentially open to working age people who are sick, self-isolating or shielding and it is their own personal circumstances that determine which they can access. However, employees who are shielding can instead be paid by the employer under the job retention scheme (see Chapter 1).

In broad terms, these benefits can be claimed on the following basis:

• employees can claim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for up to 28 weeks, provided they earn at least £120 a week;

• employees earning less than £120 and the self-employed can claim New Style Employment and Support Allowance (New Style ESA), provided they have paid or been credited with sufficient National Insurance contributions;

• people with a long-term health condition or disability who face difficulties with “daily living” or getting around can claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which is available to both the employed and the self-employed and is not linked to earnings or NI contributions; and

• people unable to work whose household income is low may be eligible for Universal Credit. It is available to both employees and the self-employed and is not linked to NI contributions. It is a means-tested benefit and is reduced by any income received from SSP (by 63p for every £1 received) or New Style ESA (by £1 for every £1 received).