Money will be given to NI people infected with COVID-19 to help with 'short-term living expenses'

If you or a member of your immediate family has been infected by COVID-19 you could be entitled to a government grant designed to help you with "short-term living expenses".
Andrew Quinn
By Andrew Quinn
Published 24th Mar 2020, 17:56 BST
Updated 24th Mar 2020, 17:57 BST
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The emergency measures were announced by Communities Minister, Deirdre Hargey, and will be available from tomorrow (Wednesday March 24).

The latest measures are enhancements to the Discretionary Support scheme and have been deployed to help people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The measures include the introduction of a grant payment to assist with short-term living expenses where a person, or a member of their immediate family, has been infected by COVID-19 or told to self-isolate.

A train operating on the London Underground the day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson instructed the entire UK population, bar a few exceptions, to stay at home. (Photo: PA Wire)A train operating on the London Underground the day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson instructed the entire UK population, bar a few exceptions, to stay at home. (Photo: PA Wire)
A train operating on the London Underground the day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson instructed the entire UK population, bar a few exceptions, to stay at home. (Photo: PA Wire)

There is no limit on the amount of an individual award, which will be calculated based on individual circumstances.

“It is my priority is to protect the health and well-being of those who find themselves in a crisis situation as a result of COVID-19," said Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey.

"I am determined that my department will do everything it can to help people who are diagnosed with COVID-19 or are advised to self-isolate.

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“This new legislation will ensure that there is additional financial support available for the most vulnerable people.

"This is support that is not available in England, Scotland and Wales and alongside the welfare mitigation package, will ensure that people here have access to a more generous social security system.”

In addition, the Department for Communities is working to introduce a new online claim form to deal more quickly with claims for Discretionary Support living expenses.

As soon as this is available, there will be a further announcement and people will have the option to apply through through nidirect.

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Other changes to Discretionary Support announced today include enhancements to the way in which awards for living expenses are calculated.

This is expected to increase the amounts paid.

Up-to-date stats on the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and the number of deaths there have been in Northern Ireland were not available from the Public Health Agency or Department of Health at the time of publishing this article.

Related topics:Deirdre HargeyCovid-19MoneyDepartment of HealthNorthern IrelandDepartment for Communities