Guidance for those whose income is affected by coronavirus

We are collecting rent as normal during the coronavirus outbreak, but our teams are here for you if you need help. You can find contact details for our Money Matters and rent teams below. But first, if you are worried about money, we’ve pulled together some information for you that may help depending on your circumstances.

If you are in work:

Please tap or click on the relevant heading below:

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

To qualify for SSP you must:

• Be classed as an employee and have done some work for your employer
• Earn an average of at least £118 per week
• Some casual workers and workers on zero-hour contracts are likely to receive some SSP, although some may not get paid unless the employer pays them voluntarily.
• The government has confirmed that SSP will be paid from day one, as part of its emergency coronavirus legislation. It is currently paid at a rate of up to £94.25 a week for up to 28 weeks, increasing to £95.85 a week from April.

Zero Hour Workers

• Some casual workers and workers on zero-hour contracts are likely to receive some statutory sick pay (SSP), although some may not get paid unless the employer pays them voluntarily.
• SSP is only paid to zero-hour contract workers if they are classed as an employee and have done some work for the employer and earn an average of at least £118 per week.
• If a zero-hour worker does not meet the above criteria, they should submit a claim for Universal Credit. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have currently stopped all unnecessary face-to-face appointments, and claims are being processed much quicker.

Self-employed Workers

Take a look at the latest government support for business.

If you need any further help with housing costs and aren’t currently receiving any benefits you should submit a claim for Universal Credit. 

If you are claiming benefits, or in work, or run a business:

A range of extra support and measures are being put in place by the DWP to help workers, benefit claimants and businesses affected by coronavirus. Find out more about what support you can get.

If you are already claiming benefits 

People can still apply for benefits online if they are eligible. Please first check with our Money Matters team before putting in a new claim for Universal Credit as making a claim may impact other benefits you receive.

If you've had a change in circumstances (e.g. reduced hours at work, birth of a child etc.) contact Manchester's benefits service as soon as possible to make sure you get the right amount.

Benefit sanctions

If you receive Universal Credit and haven't done one of the activities in your "claimant commitment", you could be sanctioned. This means your Universal Credit payments will be temporarily reduced.

The government suspended sanctions during lockdown but have reintroduced them from 1 July 2020. 

Find out more about how to avoid being sanctioned - and what help you can get if you are - on the Citizens Advice website. 

Questions and concerns

If you have any questions about any of the above information, or have any other money worries, you can always contact our Money Matters team.

If you are still concerned about paying your rent, please contact our rent team as quickly as possible.