Self Employment Income Support Scheme

What is it?

Financial support for self-employed workers who have been adversely affected by the Coronavirus Pandemic. 

Self-employed workers will receive cash grants of up to 80% of their average monthly trading profit over a three year period. The grant is paid as a single instalment covering the months of March, April and May, with a maximum payment of £7,500.

Who is eligible?

Self Employed Workers: 

• Where 50% or more of their income comes from self-employment. 
• With a trading profit of less than £50,000 in 2018/2019, or of an average trading profit of less than £50,000 over 2016/2017, 2017/2018, 2018/2019. 
• Who have been self-employed prior to the 6th of April 2019. Those who took up self-employment after this date are not eligible for the scheme. 
• You can still work, provided it is safe to do so and you are following government guidelines. 

HMRC will use existing information to check potential eligibility.

How can you claim? 

You can make a claim for this grant from today until Monday the 18th of May. Your claim will be reviewed and the payment sent out within the next 6 working days

HMRC should have been in touch to confirm you are eligible for the scheme and to inform you of the application process. If you have not heard from HMRC but believe you are eligible for the scheme you should first wait until the 17th of May to see if they get in touch. You can also check your eligibility using the HMRC eligibility tool

What do you need to make a claim?

In order to make a claim you will need the following at hand. Please be aware that you must apply yourself, your tax advisor or agent, must not make the claim on your behalf. 

• Your Self Assessment Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR)
• Your National Insurance number 
• Your Government Gateway user ID and password - (if you do not have a user ID, you can create one when you make your claim)
• Your UK bank details: 
• bank account number
• sort code
• name on the account
• your address linked to your bank account

Make a claim here. 

What if you think the grant amount is wrong?

The government will use the information you sent to them on your Self Assessment tax returns to work out your grant amount.

If you think the grant amount is wrong, you should check how much you’ll get or contact your tax agent or adviser for help.

If you still think the grant amount is wrong, you can ask HMRC to review your grant amount. For this, you need:

• Your grant claim reference
• Your National Insurance number
• The Unique Taxpayer Reference you used on your claim
• The Government Gateway user ID you used to make a claim
• Details about why you think the grant amount is wrong

Can I still teach yoga if I make a claim?

YES, the government is actively encouraging self-employed individuals to keep on working to help sustain the economy. While social distancing measures are in place, you can teach online classes to continue making a living. Find more details on this here. 

Be Aware 

Please be aware if you receive texts, calls or emails claiming to be from HMRC. They are aware of scammers trying to take advantage of the Coronavirus situation. Any offers of financial help or a tax refund from HMRC, asking you to click on a link or to give personal information, is most likely a scam! You should forward such emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and then delete it.

HMRC have sent information to the postal address they have on record for you. 

Record Keeping 

HMRC are advising that you keep records of the application you make and the amount you are claiming for. You should also keep evidence that your teaching has been adversely affected by Coronavirus such as:  

• business accounts showing a reduction in turnover
• confirmation of any coronavirus-related business loans you have received
• dates your business had to close due to lockdown restrictions
• dates you or your staff were unable to work due to coronavirus symptoms, shielding or caring responsibilities due to school closures.