RESIDENTS in Fareham will now be able to apply for a grant to help with the cost of the coronavirus lockdown.

Members of the public can apply to Fareham council for a one-off payment of £500 under the Government’s test and trace support payment scheme.

The payment is meant to help low-wage workers who would face a lose of earnings and cannot afford to self-isolate for up to 14 days.

Public Health England said that just under four million people in England will be eligible, who will be required to self-isolate from September 28.

Council leader Sean Woodward said: “It is very positive. There is something in place to be able protect their incomes and their livelihood.

“It is a way of recognising that this could help lower paid people, who are made to stay at home and cannot work and therefore cannot be paid.

“Lots of companies do pay for sick pay but lots can’t afford to. It is a rightly targeted approach to people who haven’t got any other form of income, if they have to self-isolate.

“It is a small group of people but I think it is right that they are targeted for help and support.”

To be eligible an individual must: have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, be employed or self-employed, be unable to work from home and would lose income as a result and be 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.

The scheme is expected to be in place by October 12.