Gloucester City Council is urging Businesses and residents severely financially impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic to find out if they are eligible for government support.

Gloucester City Council has been distributing grants to people on low incomes who are unable to work due to self isolation as well as to businesses who qualify under a range of grants that are be made available by government to meet the evolving situation. 

Businesses which had to close during the November lockdown or hospitality businesses, hotels, bed and breakfasts, those in leisure and events or the direct supply chain for these businesses who remained open but with reduced trading during the November lockdown, who have not yet submitted a grant application for that period, are encouraged to do so.

A number of other grants are being processed and further support grants are soon to be made available. 

Businesses are urged to keep checking the Council website to see if they qualify. 

Residents on low incomes who have been unable to work because they are self isolating can also apply for financial assistance. 

Those who meet the criteria, and have been provided with an eight-character account reference from the NHS Test and Trace Service, will be eligible for a one-off payment of £500.

Applicants must:

·  have been told to stay at home and self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, either because they have tested positive for coronavirus or have recently been in close contact with someone who has;

·         are employed or self-employed;

·       are unable to work from home and will lose income as a result; and

·       are currently receiving Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, income-based Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit and/or Pension Credit.

Anyone who thinks they may qualify should please visit the Support Payment webpage.