The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) – the Government grant to self-employed individuals whose businesses have been adversely affected by coronavirus – is made up of two grants. The first grant closed on 13 July 2020, but the second and final grant opened for applications on 17 August 2020. The last date to apply is 19 October 2020.
You don’t need to have claimed the first grant to receive the second grant. And if you’ve claimed the first, you can claim the second as long as you’re still eligible.
The first grant is for those whose ‘business was impacted by Covid-19 before 13 July’, and the second is for those ‘impacted by Covid-19 on or after 14 July‘. If impacted before and after the dates, you are due both.
You need to apply via the official Government claims portal HERE. Not sure you’re eligible? The application will tell you if not.
To apply, or check, you need the following information:
- Self-assessment unique taxpayer reference (UTR) – if you do not have this, find out how to get your lost UTR HERE.
- National insurance (NI) number – if you do not have this, find out how to get your lost NI number HERE.
- Government Gateway user ID and password – if you do not have a user ID, you can create one when you make your claim.
- UK bank details (only provide bank account details where a Bacs payment can be accepted) including the: bank account number, sort code, name on the account, address linked to your bank account. IMPORTANT: You must make the claim yourself. Your tax agent or financial adviser must not claim on your behalf as this will trigger a fraud alert.
Not all self-employed people can access this help – for example, if you earn more than £50,000 a year, or if less than half of your income is from self-employment. If you don’t meet the eligibility requirements, unfortunately you won’t be able to claim, but there are other things you can try:
The Government small business bounce back loans can be used to SUPPORT YOUR INCOME, including for those with no other support (eg, newly self-employed, limited company directors). Since Monday 4 May, the new 100% state-backed bounce back loans, for up to £50,000, have been available. They’re interest-free and payment-free in the first year – so pay it off then and it’s no cost, and at a very low 2.5% annual interest after that.
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