Catch covid and win £500

I'm all for them looking at ways to improve the levels of people isolating when testing positive but this seems like a rather blunt instrument.

Financial support for those isolating is definitely required, but we also need a more regionalised method of checking people are doing what they are meant to be doing, while also providing support to access things like shopping and emotional support.
 
jam69 said:
Why would it be a pain, we did it for millions of people, the alternative seems more open to fraud.
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I'd say the first thing that might be a problem is not everyone who catches Covid works.

2nd problem is if you aren't PAYE how do you calculate it.

3rd problem is if you are one of the 3 million who fell through the gaps how do you work it out?

4th problem is who administers it?

You would have to draw up a new legislation for all the groups, administer it, police it, reclaim fraudulently claimed money etc etc and after you have spent all the time and effort in doing this the help is received too late.

The scheme is to get people to stay at home now. Only 17% of people who have it are getting tests and isolating.

I'm not sure how you'd be able to fraudulently claim it is it was a straight £500. You get your positive test, all through the app, it's barcoded etc - you apply online and then the Gov sends you the cash.

(I work in benefits and know how much of a pain it is to administer any system where the award amounts differ - you need it to be very simple to establish an entitlement, simple to pay it and simple to work out the award or it costs a fortune).
 
uncle_rico said:
It's a bizarre policy. Sure people need the financial support if they are unable to work etc, but if they're planning on throwing £500 at anyone who tests positive, you are going to get some people who will try to catch it.
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People will be willing to take the chance and milk it. All they will need to do is get a few of their mates details and just go round different centres and get tested. Happy days for them all - maybe not for one of them.
 
MolteniArcore said:
It is common sense but I bet it would be a pain to implement. Throwing a fixed sum at the problem is simpler and could well be cheaper in the long run.

I'd imagine the £500 is made up of 2 weeks at £250? Aren't we isolating for 10 days now? Who even knows :oops:
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There’s a furlough system in place wouldn’t be hard to put isolation into that I’d imagine. Company applies as it does for furlough
 
GazC_MFC said:
There’s a furlough system in place wouldn’t be hard to put isolation into that I’d imagine. Company applies as it does for furlough
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That's ok for the PAYE folk. Then you gotta do the self employed who submit accounts, the ones that fell through the gaps, the ones that can't work and the ones that are too old to work. They will all need separate systems.
 
Norman_Conquest said:
People will be willing to take the chance and milk it. All they will need to do is get a few of their mates details and just go round different centres and get tested. Happy days for them all - maybe not for one of them.
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It'd be pretty simple to stop that. You need ID to take a test, you can't just swan around various walk in centres getting multiple tests. Plus you'd have to have Covid to get the payment, and no matter how may tests you'd only get one payment.
 
MolteniArcore said:
It'd be pretty simple to stop that. You need ID to take a test, you can't just swan around various walk in centres getting multiple tests. Plus you'd have to have Covid to get the payment, and no matter how may tests you'd only get one payment.
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No you don’t, all you need is the email and bar code. I’ve been for two tests and that was all I had to show. You only need personal info when booking.

You test positive, you then get your mate to book a test, you take his phone to the test centre and show them the email and bar code, he then tests positive and also receives the payment. And on it goes.

In the Gazette tonight, a lad beat someone in his own for a tenner - do you not think they would be willing to chance their health and others at this.
 
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Norman_Conquest said:
No you don’t, all you need is the email and bar code. I’ve been for two tests and that was all I had to show. You only need personal info when booking.

You test positive, you then get your mate to book a test, you take his phone to the test centre and show them the email and bar code, he then tests positive and also receives the payment. And on it goes.

In the Gazette tonight, a lad beat someone in his own for a tenner - do you not think they would be willing to chance their health and others at this.
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So you just make ID a requirement if you want your £500 payment.

You'd be surprised how little fraud goes on in the benefits system. It's the press and the Government who likes to make you think everyone is at it.
 
The things I've read people do for £20 never mind £500😂. I have absolutely no doubt people would try and catch it for the cash.

That said im guessing it's only if you are employed and missing work? You dont just get the money for catching it? It's for loss of earnings. So if you ain't earning then you don't qualify?
 
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