Care workers urged to apply for £735 payment

Local care workers in the independent sector should have received information from their employers by now on how to apply for the Welsh Government's £735 Covid-19 payment.

The government announced earlier this year that they would be paying NHS and care workers a special payment of £735 to recognise their work during the pandemic. The figure of £735 was chosen to allow the staff to 'take home' £500 after tax and National Insurance deductions.

In Powys, the scheme is being managed on behalf of the government by the county council.

Dylan Owen is the council’s Head of Commissioning and explained: “We have sent the relevant information to all of our independent care sector providers, such as residential care homes and domiciliary care agencies, explaining the government's eligibility criteria and included the relevant claim forms.

“I would urge any employed care workers to speak to their employers if they have not yet been advised on how to make this claim,” said Mr Owen.

The relevant information has also been sent to those people who manage their care via Direct Payments, that is they receive a payment each month from the council and use this to purchase the care they need, often by employing a personal assistant.

“Again, if you are a personal assistant working for someone who receives Direct Payments, please speak to them if you've not been made aware of the claim process.” 

He explained that all claim forms need to be received by the council for processing by September 30.