AQW 3422/17-22

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 10/03/2020
Answered On Date: 19/06/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy whether she plans to introduce any new financial support measures in the case of illness, for self-employed workers and independent contractors, in response to COVID-19.

Answer:

As part of my Department’s strategy to support people affected by the Covid-19 public health emergency, we are making a number of temporary changes to our benefit processes and legislation to ensure people who need financial help have access to the benefit system when they need it.

To avoid increasing the burden on the health system and the risk of further infection, we are temporarily removing the requirement for fit notes in relation to both Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit (UC) claims relating to Covid-19 only. Anyone who claims and is infected with Covid-19 or who is required to self-isolate will be treated as having Limited Capability for Work in ESA and UC without being required to provide a fit note or to undergo a Work Capability Assessment.

In addition, to better support the needs of people, particularly the self-employed and those not eligible for Statutory Sick Pay and/or Universal Credit, we are removing the seven waiting days that currently apply to Employment and Support Allowance.

To further support those self-employed people who choose not to self-isolate there will be a temporary suspension of the minimum income floor used to calculate the household’s Universal Credit entitlement. This will provide greater financial security during this period.

I will continue to keep these and any other available supports under review.