LTB 207/20 Guidance on Assistance Available to Members and their Dependants during the COVID-19 Crisis

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LTB 207/20 Guidance on Assistance Available to Members and their Dependants during the COVID-19 Crisis

No. 207/20

16th April 2020



Dear Colleagues,

Guidance on Assistance Available to Members and their Dependants during the COVID-19 Crisis

Branches will be aware of the recent announcements from the Government in relation to various assistance measures that have been put in place to assist individuals and their families during the current COVID-19 crisis.

The DGS(P) Department are aware that Branches may be receiving enquiries from members regarding the aforementioned measures and accordingly approached the CWU Research Department to request that they provide an outline of the various processes and aid that may be available to members and their dependants during what may be for many extremely worrying times. A copy of the report produced by the CWU Research Department is attached.

The report includes advice regarding the self-employment income scheme, mortgage and council tax holidays, renting arrangements and childcare. Also highlighted are the current gaps that exist in Government provision at this time.

In addition, the report contains information relating to the Government Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the current rules that apply to this arrangement (updated as of 14th April 2020). Branches should note that dialogue is continuing with the business to assess the potential of CWU members (who are on reduced or no pay) qualifying for payment under this scheme. It is hoped that colleagues will find this information useful if they have family members or dependants who have been furloughed due to the COVID-19 crisis. Further updates on this issue will be provided in due course.

I trust the attached information will aid Branches and Representatives in assisting our members and families at this difficult time. It should however be noted that the information attached to this LTB is for guidance only as qualification for any form of assistance is dependent on an individual(s) personal circumstances.

The Department will endeavour to provide colleagues with further guidance on assistance that may be available during the current crisis.

In closing I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our Representatives, at all levels of this union, for the amazing job they are doing, and please stay safe.

Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department.

Yours sincerely,





Terry Pullinger

Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

20LTB207 Guidance on Assistance Available to Members and their Dependants during the Covid-19 Crisis https://emails.cwu.org/t/d-l-mtuihlk-jtfltzjh-i/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

LTB 207.20 ATTACHMENT 1 https://emails.cwu.org/t/d-l-mtuihlk-jtfltzjh-d/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

View Online https://emails.cwu.org/t/d-l-mtuihlk-jtfltzjh-h/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[whatshappening1]

i am curretly on log term sick leave and on zero pay, and was considering telling the docs i feel better even though im not 100% as im just about out of money. To add i have a 30 week pregnant fiancee at home with me self isolating, she is understandably not happy with this as it would put her and the baby at risk! obv i agree with her, but rock and a hard place i have ashma myself and no its risky but so is having no money.

Should i just get another line and stay unpaid or is it better to let my line run out try and get put on special leave?

After Reading this it suggests that if the company agree to it i could be placed on furlough and be payed if i stay on long term sickness anybody have any thoughts on this ? from what i can make of it being placed on speical leave or being on long term sickness the furlough should work the same if agreed by RM. But im not sure hence any advice or thoughts would be appreciated.