Self-isolating Britons will be entitled to claim additional monetary support if they are told to stay at home and do not qualify for sick pay. This payment is designed to temporarily help with living costs and will be available until March next year. But how can you claim this payment and who exactly is eligible?

       The rules for self-isolating changed last month.

       People in England and Northern Ireland who have had two Covid vaccine doses will no longer have to isolate if they come into contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus.

       The previously mandatory 10-day quarantine period is no longer compulsory.

       The relaxation of these rules means a significant reduction in the number of people being compelled to stay at home.

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       At its peak in July, the number of self-isolation alerts sent in England and Wales was just under 700,000.

       Although the rules have changed if you are told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace you are legally required to do so.

       You could be fined if you fail to self-isolate.

       You should self-isolate straight away and get a PCR test if you have any symptoms of coronavirus, test positive for COVID-19, someone you live with has symptoms or tests positive or if you have been told to self-isolate.

       You do not need to self-isolate if you are fully vaccinated, meaning 14 days have passed since your second dose of the vaccine.

       You are also not required to self-isolate if you are under 18 years and six months old.

       In addition, you are exempt if you are taking part in a Covid vaccine trial or are medically exempt.

       Low-income workers tend to be hit hardest by the enforced self-isolation period.

       However, Health Secretary Sajid Javid revealed today these workers will be able to apply for a one-off ￡500 payment to support them during the self-isolation period.

       The ￡500 payment will be available until March 2022 and will be given to those who are most in need.

       Under the terms of the one-off payment, people who have been told to self-isolate but can't work from home and are ineligible for sick pay will get ￡500 to help cover their living costs.

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       Speaking on September 14, Mr Javid said: “As well as maintaining the current legal requirements for positive cases and unvaccinated contacts to self-isolate, the Government will continue to offer practical and financial support to those who are eligible and require assistance to self-isolate.

       “The Government will review the future of these regulations as well as this support by the end of March 2022.”

       The ￡500 payment will be known as the Test and Trace Support Payment and will only be available to those on a low income and who do not qualify for sick pay.

       The Government said: “You may be eligible if you are employed or self-employed, cannot work from home, and will lose income as a result.

       “You can only apply if you’ve been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, notified to self-isolate by the NHS COVID-19 app, or you’re the parent or guardian of a child who has been told to self-isolate.”

       The ￡500 sum is expected to be available to those who face financial hardship as a result of self-isolating.

       Local councils will inform people if they are on a low income and face financial hardship - and therefore if they are eligible.

       Parents and guardians of children told to self-isolate could be eligible for the payment if they are unable to work from home and will lose income to care for their child.

       Anyone in England who believes they are eligible for the ￡500 should apply through their local council.

       You can search for the contact details for your local authority via the Gov.uk website.

       In addition, parents and guardians who are told to self-isolate will most likely require written proof, most likely from their child’s school.

       If you don't live in England, you might be eligible for the self-isolation support scheme in Wales, the self-isolation support grant in Scotland or support if you’re in Northern Ireland.