Jobcentres in Ceredigion have said there are a “range of extra support and measures” in place to help workers, benefit claimants and businesses affected by the coronavirus crisis.

John Galbraith, from the Jobcentre in Aberystwyth, said that special arrangements will be in place for people in receipt of benefits who cannot attend reassessments or appointments because they are required to stay at home or are infected by coronavirus.

In a statement, the Jobcentres in Cardigan and Aberystwyth said that disabled and sick claimants who cannot attend a reassessment for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit will continue to receive their payments while their assessment is rearranged.

Other measures include, people who need to claim ESA or Universal Credit because of coronavirus will not be required to produce a Fit Note; and when claimants tell us in good time that they are staying at home or that they have been diagnosed with coronavirus, they will not be sanctioned.

Claimants who are staying at home as a result of coronavirus will have their mandatory work search and work availability requirements removed to account for a period of sickness, the Jobcentre added.

Mr Galbraith said: “We understand people who are required to stay at home or are infected by coronavirus may need financial support, and quickly.

“Those affected by coronavirus will be able to apply for Universal Credit and can receive up to a month’s advance up front without physically attending a Jobcentre.

“The seven waiting days for ESA for new claimants suffering from coronavirus or required to stay at home will not apply, so it will be payable from day one.”

The Jobcentre also made clear that employees and self-employed people who cannot work due to coronavirus and are eligible for Statutory Sick Pay will get it from day one, rather than from the fourth day of their illness.

Statutory Sick Pay will be payable to people who are staying at home on Government advice, not just those who are infected, from 13 March after regulations were laid on 12 March.

If employees need to provide evidence to their employer that they need to stay at home due to coronavirus, they will be able to get it from the NHS 111 Online instead of having to get a Fit Note from their doctor.

Self-employed claimants on Universal Credit who are required to stay at home or are ill as a result of coronavirus will not have a Minimum Income Floor (an assumed level of income) applied for a period of time while affected.

For small businesses with fewer than 250 employees, they will be able to reclaim Statutory Sick Pay for employees unable to work because of coronavirus.

This refund will be for up to two weeks per employee.