COVID-19 (Coronavirus) information

The information relating to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is being updated at a rapid rate, and so, rather than keep re-writing the information on my website, here are links to reputable sources of advice.

The Government’s official advice can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

It includes guidance for employers and businesses, stay-at-home guidance, travel advice and advice for health professionals.

Guidance on social distancing: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

For health advice sheets in different languages (Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Dari, English, Farsi, French, Hindi, Kurdish, Malayalam, Mandarin, Pashto, Portuguese, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya, Turkish, Urdu and Vietnamese), please click here: https://www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/coronavirus-information/

Community Support

Covid-19 Mutual Aid UK – “a group of volunteers supporting local community groups organising mutual aid throughout the Covid-19 outbreak in the UK. We focus on providing resources and connecting people to their nearest local groups, willing volunteers and those in need.” – https://covidmutualaid.org/

Offering support from your business – Use this service to tell us how your business might be able to help with the response to coronavirus. – https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-support-from-business

Advice relating to healthcare

Government Whatsapp service: 07860064422

NHS advice: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Age UK: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/conditions-illnesses/coronavirus/

Asthma UK: https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/coronavirus-covid-19/

Cancer Research: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/coronavirus-and-cancer

Citizens’ Advice: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/health/coronavirus-what-it-means-for-you/

Diabetes UK: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/coronavirus

MIND ‘Coronavirus and your wellbeing’: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing

Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/

Advice relating to employment, businesses and benefits

ACAS – information for advice for employers and employees: https://www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus

Health & Safety Executive: https://www.hse.gov.uk/news/coronavirus.htm

Information Commissioner: https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/data-protection-and-coronavirus/

Coronavirus and claiming benefits: https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/coronavirus/

Federation of Small Businesses: https://www.fsb.org.uk/campaign/covid19.html

Coronavirus support for employees, benefit claimants and businesses: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-support-for-employees-benefit-claimants-and-businesses

Coronavirus Financial Support for employers, self-employed and employees: https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/

Support for businesses: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/financial-support-for-businesses-during-coronavirus-covid-19

Turn2Us – Benefits and Coronavirus: https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/Benefits-and-Coronavirus-new

Universal Credit:

https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/coronavirus/

Workers who are on 67 per cent of their full wages can claim extra money to help out. Under the Job Support Scheme, those unable to work due to closures will be paid 67 per cent of their full monthly wage – up to a maximum of £2,100 per employee per month.

The grants will begin on 1 November – and will replace the furlough scheme which ends that day. If you are affected by this your company will arrange the 67pc payment for you. If Tier 3 restrictions affect your pay, you may be eligible to apply for Universal Credit.

Who is eligible for Universal Credit?
You may be able to get Universal Credit if:

You’re on a low income or out of work
You’re 18 or over (there are some exceptions if you’re 16 to 17)
You’re under State Pension age (or your partner is)
You and your partner have £16,000 or less in savings between you
You live in the UK

The number of children you have does not affect your eligibility for Universal Credit, but it may affect how much you get. Use a benefits calculator (https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators) to check what benefits you could get if you’re not eligible for Universal Credit. Your partner’s income and savings will be taken into account, even if they are not eligible for Universal Credit.

What you’ll get
Your Universal Credit payment is made up of a standard allowance and any extra amounts that apply to you, for example if you:

•Have children
•Have a disability or health condition which prevents you from working
•Need help paying your rent

How your earnings affect your payments
If you’re employed, how much Universal Credit you get will depend on your earnings. Your Universal Credit payment will reduce gradually as you earn more – for every £1 you earn your payment reduces by 63p. There’s no limit to how many hours you can work. You can earn a certain amount before your Universal Credit is reduced if you or your partner are either:

Responsible for a child or young person
Living with a disability or health condition (https://www.gov.uk/health-conditions-disability-universal-credit) that affects your ability to work

This is called a ‘work allowance’. Your work allowance is lower if you get help with housing costs.

How Universal Credit is paid
Universal Credit is paid once a month, usually into your bank, building society or credit union account.

Your payment can include an amount for housing, which you’ll usually need to pay to your landlord. If you’re not able to open a bank, building society or credit union account, call the Universal Credit helpline (https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/contact-universal-credit) to arrange a different way of getting paid.

After the first payment, you’ll be paid on the same date of every month. If your payment date is on a weekend or a bank holiday you’ll usually be paid on the working day before. You’ll get a monthly statement that tells you how much Universal Credit you’re going to get.

If you’re paid once a month on the same date and nothing changes in your earnings, then your Universal Credit amount should stay the same. Your Universal Credit can be affected if you receive more than one set of wages during some assessment periods. This could happen if:

You’re paid weekly, every 2 weeks or every 4 weeks
Your monthly payment date changes, for example you get paid on the last working day of each month

This means your earnings might be too high for Universal Credit. You’ll be told if they are and whether you’ll need to reapply to continue to get Universal Credit.

What you need to apply
You’ll need:

Your bank, building society or credit union account details (call the Universal Credit helpline if you do not have one)
An email address
Information about your housing, for example how much rent you pay
Details of your income, for example payslips
Details of savings and any investments, like shares or a property that you rent out
Details of how much you pay for childcare if you’re applying for help with childcare costs

If you do not provide the right information when you apply it might affect when you get paid or how much you get. You also have to verify your identity online. You’ll need some proof of identity for this, for example your:

Driving licence
Passport
Debit or credit card

Education

Guidance for schools, childcare providers, colleges and local authorities in England on maintaining educational provision: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

Local advice and organisations

Rochdale Borough Council: http://www.rochdale.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing/Pages/coronavirus.aspx

Rochdale Action Together: https://www.actiontogether.org.uk/

Hardship Funds

Coronavirus hardship fund for musicians: https://www.helpmusicians.org.uk/news/latest-news/help-musicians-launches-5m-coronavirus-financial-hardship-fu

Travel Advice

Foreign Office Travel Advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Supermarkets

Aldi: https://www.aldi.co.uk/covid19

Asda: https://corporate.asda.com/20200309/steps-we-have-taken-in-response-to-the-coronavirus-outbreak

Iceland: https://www.iceland.co.uk/customer-support/help-articles#coronavirus

Lidl: https://www.lidl.com/coronavirus-update

Morrisons: https://groceries.morrisons.com/content/important-update-on-coronavirus-94110

Sainsburys: https://www.about.sainsburys.co.uk/news/latest-news/2020/feeding-the-nation-5

Tesco: https://www.tescoplc.com/news/2020/covid-19-a-message-to-our-customers-from-dave-lewis-tesco-ceo/

Utility Companies and Energy Consumption

British Gas: https://www.britishgas.co.uk/covid19

Ebico: https://ebico.org.uk/ebico-news/coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak-announcement/

E.on: https://www.eonenergy.com/coronavirus-update.html

Scottish Power: https://www.scottishpower.com/news/pages/covid_19_update.aspx

Shell Energy: https://www.shellenergy.co.uk/service

United Utilities: https://www.unitedutilities.com/Coronavirus-update/

National Energy Action (NEA) runs the Warm and Safe Homes Advice Service which provides help to people who are struggling with their energy bills, as well as benefit advice and claim support.

If you are struggling with energy bills, as well as benefit advice and claim support, you can complete a National Energy Action (NEA) online referral form at www.nea.org.uk/advice/wash-advice

People who need support with benefits checks and claims can also call the NEA dedicated phone number 0800 138 8218.

NEA have also created some new resources for those who may be struggling with their energy bills. These are available at https://www.nea.org.uk/advice/help-during-the-covid-19-period