FIFE COUNCIL has admitted there are "significant delays" in processing applications for those waiting for payment of Self-Isolation Support Grants.

Workers on low income or in receipt of some benefits who are asked to self-isolate by Test and Protect are eligible for £500 Self-Isolation Support Grants if they are unable to work from home.

A grant should be awarded in three working days but Fife Council is struggling to keep up with demand.

A service update on the council's website states: "Due to the current impact of COVID-19, there will be significant delay in processing your application and normal timescales do not apply. Please do not call us for an update; you will be contacted by an advisor once your application has been reviewed."

MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife Claire Baker has called for immediate action to improve the process following concerns from her constituents and has written to the Scottish Government as well as the council.

She said: “The Self-Isolation Support Grants are there to support people who would otherwise struggle financially to comply with a requirement to self-isolate.

"For the grant process in Fife to be subject to significant delay like this is simply unacceptable and will have serious impacts for those in need of support.

“One constituent has been advised that the current wait time is 22 working days and that is just not good enough.

"These grants are there to help people met basic needs while they are unable to earn and they simply cannot afford to wait weeks for this support.

“I am writing to the Scottish Government to call on them to act to ensure these delays are addressed and the grants provided to those in need as soon as possible.

"The Scottish Government has a responsibility to ensure that these grants are distributed efficiently across the country and that the process does not depend on where you live.

“I am also contacting Fife Council to see what can be done on a local level to improve the timescale as the current delays are unacceptable.

"We need to see the timescale reduced so this support is getting out as quickly as possible to those in need.”

The Self-Isolation Support Grant is designed to encourage eligible individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19, and their close contacts, to self-isolate for the required period to stop onward spread of the virus.

Since its launch, the grant has been extended significantly to include more people on low incomes. It is now available to workers earning the real living wage or less.

Parents or carers of those who need to self-isolate may also be eligible.

Head of customer and online services at Fife Council Diarmuid Cotter agreed that the system was experiencing significant delays but that the council was working hard to resolve this.

He said: "We are bringing in more staff to help deal with the backlog of applications and we're sorry for any delays that customers are experiencing. We're working to turn applications around as quickly as possible."

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We regret if people have experienced delays. During the summer, local councils received four times the number of applications they did in the spring and each application needs to be given due consideration.

“Councils are doing everything they can to support people through this challenging time to ensure they do not have to make a choice between self-isolating and supporting themselves financially.

“Anyone eligible will, of course, receive the financial support they are due, including any backdated payments.”