AQW 14876/17-22

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 17/02/2021
Answered On Date: 26/02/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities what provision she is making to support people who have had to take time off work due to long Covid, particularly if they did so during their probationary period and are thus unable to access full sick pay.

Answer:

People impacted by long COVID and unable to work due to illness, can claim Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit in the normal way. Help is also available for those in financial crisis through my Department’s Discretionary Support scheme

My Department’s Make the Call service provides advice to people to help identify all the money, support and services they are entitled to and can be contacted through the Freephone service on 0800 232 1271.

In addition, anyone in need of additional support, including those who have been identified as clinically extremely vulnerable, can contact the COVID-19 Community Helpline (Freephone 0808 802 0020, Email: covid19@adviceni.net. Text: ACTION to 81025) which will provide personalised advice and referral to appropriate support depending on an individual’s circumstances.