Families of NHS Workers Killed By COVID-19 Lose Benefits If Claiming Compensation

If a National Health Service (NHS) worker dies from the coronavirus, their bereaved families will be deprived of welfare benefits if they draw a payout from the government’s COVID-19 compensation scheme. 

NHS workers are among the most susceptible to catching COVID-19. If they succumb to the virus, their families will lose welfare benefits if they have accepted the government’s £60,000 lump sum of COVID-19 compensation, Metro reported.

The NHS and Social Care Coronavirus Life Assurance Scheme was created during the pandemic to assist NHS workers’ relatives in times of crisis. But if bereaved families receive COVID-19 compensation, they may become ineligible for universal credit, housing benefits or pension credit.

Per the rules of universal credit, anyone with over £16,000 in assets (aside from their home’s value) cannot claim support, according to The Guardian. Anyone with over £6,000 will only be eligible to receive decreased payments by £4.35 monthly for every £250 over the limit. 

Labour has said families who successfully apply for the payout should be exempt from capital limits rules, as it is with compensation schemes such as those set up for Windrush scandal and Grenfell Tower fire victims.

The U.K. government stated the COVID-19 compensation payment would be counted in assessments to guarantee that only those in financial need will be able to claim additional benefits, according to iNews.

The opposition party wants to see the government overturn the rules so bereaved families of NHS workers can be supported and grieve appropriately. 

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is demanding clarification from the government.

According to a Guardian report, the RCN believes the payments should not affect NHS workers’ families’ eligibility for other welfare benefits. 

“The loss of nursing staff due to COVID-19 is tragic,” the RCN said, according to The Guardian. “Each one was a huge loss to our profession, to their communities and most of all to their loved ones. The government must address this issue immediately.”

In England and Wales, at least 540 front-line NHS and social care workers have died from COVID-19 since the beginning of the outbreak, The Guardian reported. NHS workers including doctors, nurses and care workers have been especially vulnerable to succumbing to the virus.

“Health and social care workers are putting their lives on the line to care for coronavirus patients, often without the proper equipment, and many have sadly lost their lives as a result,” Labour’s Jonathan Reynolds said, according to The Guardian. “The government was right to say we must honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. So it is shocking that families are being forced to choose between accessing social security they are entitled to or the compensation they need.”

The COVID-19 compensation scheme was initiated on 20 May by health secretary Matt Hancock after frontline NHS workers were facing a shortage of personal protective equipment, The Guardian reported.

There is worry about the low numbers of claimants in the COVID-19 compensation scheme, which is available throughout the U.K.

As of 8 July, there have only been 51 claims from bereaved families, according to The Guardian. No claims have been denied since 8 July, and there were an additional 32 pending applications. 

According to The Guardian, a government spokesperson addressed the issue faced by NHS workers’ families: “The death of any healthcare worker is a tragedy. Since it began in May, the life assurance scheme has already provided additional financial security to families of frontline NHS and social care workers in England who have died due to coronavirus. It has always been one the central principles of Universal Credit that decisions on awarding the benefit should take into account individuals’ existing ability to meet their basic needs, so that we maintain our focus on supporting families in most need.”

If the family of a deceased NHS worker receives COVID-19 compensation, do you think they should remain eligible to receive other welfare benefits? Why or why not? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

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