Millions of self-employed people whose trade has been hit by coronavirus can now apply for a second support grant from the government.
More than three million people may be eligible for the payment of up to £6,570 each, which Chancellor Rishi Sunak said would be the final hand-out.
HMRC said it was pleased with the positive start the scheme made when it opened this morning (17.08.2020).
The claims window is initially open for a four-day period, but anyone who thinks they may be eligible and hasn’t been contacted by HMRC has until October to make a claim. If you think you are eligible and haven’t been contacted by HMRC, you can go onto the online system which will tell you if you are eligible, and when it is you can make a claim.
To be eligible for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, more than half of a claimant’s income needs to come from self-employment.
The scheme is open to those with a trading profit of less than £50,000 in 2018-19, or an average trading profit of less than £50,000 from 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2018-19.
As of today, those eligible can claim the second, slightly less generous, grant covering 70% of the applicant’s average monthly trading profits.
It will also be made in a single payment, covering three months and capped at £2,190 a month, or £6,570 in total.
If you think you are eligible, claim now via the following link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme
The BACDT will issue more guidance on this to members once it is available.