Get help from Herefordshire Council
In response to the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19), Herefordshire Council is working with community organisations and local businesses to help connect people to the support being coordinated in your area.
Talk Community Team Helpline
01432 260 027
How to apply for Government support
The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announced a wide-ranging support package for British businesses, making available £330 billion of guarantees.
Information how to apply for financial support is available here: https://www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder
Get tested in Herefordshire
There are currently 3 mobile testing units in Herefordshire:
- Leominster (Broad Street car park)
- Hereford (Merton Meadow overflow car park)
- Ross-on-Wye (The Larruperz Centre)
Get a free NHS test: https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
Guidance by category
Below is a series of links to helpful information for all those who are concerned about the social, economic and health impacts of the Coronavirus:
Businesses and Employees
Chancellor outlines Winter Economy Plan:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-outlines-winter-economy-plan
Check if your employer can use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-could-be-covered-by-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme
Guidance for employees, employers and businesses: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19
Healthcare professionals
Guidance for health professionals:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/wuhan-novel-coronavirus
Government to provide free car parking for NHS and social care staff:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-provide-free-car-parking-for-nhs-and-social-care-staff
Schools and educational settings
Guidance for teachers, school leaders, carers, parents and students:
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/education-and-childcare
Maintaining educational provision and the list of key workers: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision
Self-employed
Claim a grant through the coronavirus Self-employment Income Support Scheme:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme
Tax helpline to support businesses and self-employed affected by coronavirus: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tax-helpline-to-support-businesses-affected-by-coronavirus-covid-19
Changes made to Statutory Sick Pay and how Universal Credit supports self-employed claimants: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-support-for-employees-benefit-claimants-and-businesses
Delay Council Tax payments until the start of June:
Email the request and proof of self-employed status to counciltax@herefordshire.gov.uk
Statutory sick-pay
The Government has taken a number of steps, including making regulations that make it clear that employees who self-isolate on the basis of published advice from Public Health England (and the devolved health authorities) will be entitled to SSP. The Government has also announced that it will introduce legislation to make SSP payable from the first day of sickness and that it will refund SSP payments made by businesses with under 250 employees.
Changes to Statutory Sick Pay: https://www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay
From Friday 20 March onwards, those who have COVID-19 or are advised to self-isolate will be able to obtain an “isolation note” by visiting NHS 111 online and completing an online form, rather than visiting a doctor.