How the COVID restrictions ending will affect your family's finances
Eloise Hill
Content writerMany families will be happy COVID rules are being scrapped but it could also mean our finances are about to take a hit ...
This page contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small amount of money if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. All our articles and reviews are written independently by the Netmums editorial team.
After almost two years of following COVID rules and restrictions, Boris Johnson has announced they are finally set to end.
This means no more COVID tests, isolating or of course those dreaded lockdowns – hurrah!
Although lots of us are bound to be happy to hear this news, it could mean many families' finances could be about to take a hit, too.
Here's everything you need to know ...
1. £500 self-isolation payment will be scrapped
During the COVID crisis, families who had to self isolate were eligible to receive a £500 payment to help cover the costs of bills.
However, from 24th February, families will no longer be able to apply for the payment.
There are some other help schemes you can apply for through your local council if you're struggling financially due to having COVID after this point.
You can get hundreds of pounds through the Household Support Fund (depending on your local council).
You can also use the Welfare Assistance Scheme to receive up to £1,000 to help cover the costs of bills, food, furniture, etc.
2. Sick pay changes
Throughout the pandemic, self-isolating workers who qualified for Statutory Sick Pay could get their payments from day one.
However, from March 24th, this will no longer be the case as people with COVID will need to wait until day four of being sick before receiving the payment.
The general secretary of the TUC, Frances O'Grady, commented: 'The failure to provide decent sick pay to all, from the first day of illness, is reckless and self-defeating.
'If people can't afford to stay home when they're sick, they will take their infections into work.'
During the Downing Street press conference on Monday, ITV News’s political editor Robert Peston also commented that scrapping statutory sick pay provisions would make it more difficult for members of the public to do the right thing.
3. Free COVID tests no longer available
From 1st April, families will no longer be able to get COVID tests for free.
With some exceptions for certain vulnerable and elderly people, everyone will be required to pay for their tests although less testing will be required due to the rule change moving forward. Pupils, for instance, will no longer need to test twice weekly.
The price of test kits has not yet been confirmed by the government, but they are reportedly aiming to keep the price less than £20.
Watch this space for more info as we get it.
In the meantime we've got more info on what the scrapping of COVID rules will mean for schools, teachers and parents right here ...
And, if you're still undecided on whether to vaccinate their child or not, a GP has offered her advice to parents here.
Not sure how much pocket money to give your kids? This guide should help ... Or, if you're looking for another source of income, here are 28 genius ways to make some extra cash.
Related content:
Stick or switch? Martin Lewis reveals what families should do NOW before energy bills rise in April
Chat: Are you struggling to pay your bills?
20 energy-saving tips every family can use to save money on bills, say energy experts
Related articles
