Below we have prepared some information about your rights during the coronavirus pandemic as well as mutual aid groups that have emerged to help people with self-isolation.
If you have any trouble with these rights and want support, then please get in touch. Rights are the bare minimum, and some workers or tenants might want to take the initiative in responding to this crisis themselves, we are happy to help with this as well. At SolFed we aren’t lawyers or representatives, but we are happy to take direct action to help each other out in our struggles.
Information for workers
If you need to stay at home because you, or someone you live with, have coronavirus symptoms, you could be eligible to Statutory Sick Pay from day one. Employers should be flexible regarding medical evidence as in some cases you will be asked to self-isolate for up to 14 days. If your workplace closes due to coronavirus, under the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme you will receive 80% of wages up to £2,500 per month.
More information about coronavirus and working conditions
Information for tenants
The government has banned any eviction in social or private accommodation while the coronavirus crisis is taking place. The government will be legislating urgently to ban landlords to start any eviction procedure in the upcoming three-month period.
More information about coronavirus and tenants
Information for claimants
People receiving benefits do not have to attend Jobcentre appointments for at least 3 months, starting from Thursday the 19th of March 2020. People will continue to receive their benefits as normal, but all requirements to attend the Jobcentre in person are suspended. People can still make applications for benefits online if they are eligible.
More information about claimants and coronavirus
Information for vulnerable people and those self-isolating
If you live in Liverpool and need help because are self-isolating, there are groups of people willing to help you. You can find them on Facebook and through these groups you can find people in your area who can help with shopping and deliveries, as well as someone to chat to if you are self-isolating. A list of these mutual aid groups across the country can be found here. If you aren’t self-isolating and are able to help others out, consider using these groups to get in touch to offer your assistance.
More information about mutual support groups (Freedom website)
Information for migrants
Treatment for COVID-19 (and all communicable diseases) is free for everybody, however many migrants may not know this. There are important mechanisms of support and demands that local communities can make in order to ensure that everybody can access care. We encourage everybody to join their nearest mutual aid group.
EU Settlement Scheme Applications continue to be processed but some of the support services and application routes have temporarily changed. The Settlement Resolution Centre will no longer be answering telephone calls, it will, however, continue to respond to email enquiries. Emails from support organisations will be prioritised where possible. The ID document scanner locations have been suspended. The postal route for submitting identity evidence is currently suspended. Applications can still be made online using the “EU Exit ID Document check app”.
Information for students
We are advising all students leaving their accommodation due to universities closing, to ask their agencies and landlords to terminate their tenancies following the government’s current social distancing measures and according to an emergency clause to terminate the agreement included in most of tenancies.
More information about coronavirus and student accomodation
