COVID-19 – Children's Law Centre https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk Children's Rights Change Children's Lives Mon, 13 Dec 2021 15:00:36 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1 https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/cropped-icon_v1-32x32.png COVID-19 – Children's Law Centre https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk 32 32 What does COVID-19 and policing mean for me? https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/faqsyp/what-does-covid-19-and-policing-mean-for-me/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-does-covid-19-and-policing-mean-for-me Tue, 08 Sep 2020 11:59:14 +0000 https://new.childrenslawcentre.org.uk/?post_type=epkb_post_type_2&p=2552 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2020 is a new emergency law that came into force on 28th March, 2020.  This law gives the police special powers.

If you are outside of your home and you are not social distancing from others the police have new powers to disperse (break up) crowds.  The police will do this in a staged way as follows:

  1. Police will encourage you to social distance or for a crowd to disperse.
  2. The police will give you a reason as to why they want you and your friends to disperse.
  3. If you do not listen to the police they have powers under the new law to enforce social distancing.
What will happen if my friends and/or I don’t social distance when asked by the police?

If you or your friends do not follow the directions of the police then you could be committing a criminal offence.  You may be:

  • given advice or guidance by the police;
  • issued with a Community Resolution Notice (this is a notice that can be issued to anyone 10 years old and over for a range of offences not just for COVID-19);
  • issued a penalty notice of £200 (the penalty notice is not a criminal conviction and can be reduced to £100 if paid within 14 days).

If the police have to issue you with further notices the fine can be doubled and you can be prosecuted if you do not pay the fine or comply with the notice. You can find out more about COVID-19 compliance and penalties here.

For more information you can contact us on 08088085678, email ree@childrenslawcentre.org or online at REE Live Chat.

]]> What if I need to contact the police during COVID-19? https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/faqsyp/what-if-i-need-to-contact-the-police-during-covid-19/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-if-i-need-to-contact-the-police-during-covid-19 Tue, 08 Sep 2020 11:47:20 +0000 https://new.childrenslawcentre.org.uk/?post_type=epkb_post_type_2&p=2550 You can still contact the police for help during COVID-19 by calling 999 in an emergency or 101 if the matter is not an emergency.

Police may ask you questions about your health and that of others in your home to see if anyone there has COVID-19 or is isolating before coming out to see you.

]]> Am I entitled to use a food bank if I lose my job because of COVID-19? https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/faqsyp/am-i-entitled-to-use-a-food-bank-if-i-lose-my-job-because-of-covid-19/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=am-i-entitled-to-use-a-food-bank-if-i-lose-my-job-because-of-covid-19 Tue, 01 Sep 2020 14:37:01 +0000 https://new.childrenslawcentre.org.uk/?post_type=epkb_post_type_2&p=2460 Yes, everyone is entitled to use a food bank whether you are employed or unemployed.

]]> Where do I go to get help about benefits if I can’t work because of COVID-19? https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/faqsyp/where-do-i-go-to-get-help-about-benefits-if-i-cant-work-because-of-covid-19/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=where-do-i-go-to-get-help-about-benefits-if-i-cant-work-because-of-covid-19 Tue, 01 Sep 2020 11:26:03 +0000 https://new.childrenslawcentre.org.uk/?post_type=epkb_post_type_2&p=2432 You can contact Advice NI for more detailed information and advice on how COVID-19 might affect your job or benefits. Contact details and advice are available through the Advice NI website.

]]> If I lose my job because of COVID-19 can I get universal credit? https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/faqsyp/if-i-lose-my-job-because-of-covid-19-can-i-get-universal-credit/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=if-i-lose-my-job-because-of-covid-19-can-i-get-universal-credit Tue, 01 Sep 2020 11:22:09 +0000 https://new.childrenslawcentre.org.uk/?post_type=epkb_post_type_2&p=2428 Usually you can only claim Universal credit if you are over 18, however there are some exceptions if you are 16 or 17.

You can check if you’re likely to be accepted for universal credit using this 10-minute Benefits Calculator or you can find out more information from Advice NI.

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