Coronavirus (COVID-19): shielding social care workers support scheme

About the payment scheme

You may be eligible to apply for a lump sum back payment if you are a social care worker and you:

• were not able to work between March and October 2020 because you were shielding - AND
• were not placed onto the Job Retention (furlough) Scheme

This lump sum will cover the amount of pay you would have received if you had been placed on the Job Retention Scheme. This will be 80% of your normal pay, minus any sick pay you may have received.

How and when to apply

The scheme is open to applications until 24 February 2021. Applications should be made by your employer. They can still do this even if you are no longer working for that employer.

You can get further information and apply through the Inspiring Scotland website.

If your household receives low income benefits, it is important to understand how a successful application could affect you. It is recommended that you seek advice from Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) or similar before making an application.

Trade unions have been involved in the development of the scheme and may also be able to advise.

From 31 October 2020 onwards, all eligible workers should be placed on the UK Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which has re-opened to applications and has been extended until the end of April 2021.