Anyone else terrified about not being able to work due to CV?

[JuanSheetIsPlenty]

Whether that’s due to school being closed, or clients cancelling, or me catching CV. I’m self employed. No work means no income at all. I’m just about meeting my bills now. If I don’t work I’m screwed. I rent privately. I don’t get any housing benefit. I’m getting really worried now.

Not worried for us but am worried for those around us. Lots of families here really struggling and kids missing meals as it is, for some of them the school lunch is when they eat and when other kids can give them food.

Yes I’m in the same boat as you. My business is also in it’s infancy as I’ve not yet been open for a full year. I’m very worried.

for some of them the school lunch is when they eat and when other kids can give them food.

I hadn’t even considered this! this virus is going to be catastrophic for so many that don’t even catch it.

@confusedandtired99

I’ve been sorting out anything in the house I can sell to try and build a cushion if it comes to it.

Yes if I don't work I don't get paid. Can't work from home either.

I highly recommend applying for universal credit for the interim just to get the ball rolling for when this does happen

Is there no insurance cover for the self employed to help to cover these sorts of situations?? Sorry, I no nothing about being self employed.

@Mummoomoocow

Is UC only for when your household income is less than a certain amount?

I might lose my wage but DH should be okay.

I can't wait to be told to stay at home if I'm honest

The link for UC is here if anyone needs it. It tells you the eligibility criteria.

www.gov.uk/apply-universal-credit

Anyone can make a claim, even if you don't get any money from uc your account will be set up so when the next month rolls around and you've earned less you tell them to start your claim and you'll get help very quickly in comparison to starting a claim when you need it

Worried about childcare provider closing. I'm sure my employer will allow wfh but I can't do that with an 18mo running around and partner is self-employed so he can't take any time off.

@Mummoomoocow that’s really helpful. Thank you! I’m going to apply.

How does it work if you can’t work due school closing? You’re not sick so will you be deemed as still supposed to be looking for work? Will you be sanctioned if you can’t?

It's one of the things I am concerned about. My dh is a tradesman, so customers cancelling and having jo work is worrying. I actually took out an overdraft just incase.

I'm not too sure but I suppose when you are assessed as primary care giver to your children then they have to account for lack of childcare when working

Insurance companies will not pay out in the event of closures for this, even if the closures are ordered by the government.

I own a nursery and have been told by my insurance company that every insurer is taking this position to prevent the insurance industry collapsing.

This means that if nurseries close, staff won’t get paid. Money does not grow on trees so there is no way round this.

I am furious. I’ve paid out thousands to my insurance company over the years, and now they go and do this?

They might no go under, but everyone else will.

Yes. Already happening. Am in the south of Italy and work in a school but am paid only for the hours I actually teach.

EYprovider that is just sickening really.

I'm self-employed and work in tourism and it's already clear that my business is finished. The few people who'd booked for the summer are now demanding refunds of their deposit. So I'm focusing on something else I can do - which pays minimum wage. My car has just failed its MOT too, unexpectedly, and needs to be replaced. Happy times. Grateful for the minimum wage job I suppose.

@EYProvider if you're forced to close, is it in your contract that parents don't need to pay?

On the ocassions that our nursery has been closed (for snow) we still paid for the full days.

@Bluehighlighter I’ve MOT in 2 weeks and highly suspect it will fail. I can’t afford to get it checked before it goes in to be tested. I’m a cleaner so no car= no work.

But, donna, snow days are few and far between. This could be weeks or months. People will not be able to pay that long for childcare that is not being provided.

Yes i suspect if people are facing weeks of no childcare while possibly not being paid themselves they won’t be paying for childcare regardless of what their contract says.

I would hope the Government would put in emergency laws ensuring no one is worse off, whether its mandatory payment breaks on loans, mortgages or rent. Fingers crossed.

This is probably my biggest concern. I cannot do my job from home and the only person I could ask to help with childcare would be my mum. Aside from her being over 65, I fear for my mental health and marriage if she moves in, and also we have a tiny spare room which DH is planning on working from, so I don't really have accommodation for her. My husband's workplace asked them all to e mail managers with details of what they'd need to work from home, which is mostly IT equipment. He's half expecting to be put on home working this coming week.

Everyone write to their MP about this. If we expect people to work with these sorts of contracts and salaries or encourage people to start their own businesses, we must accept that it costs people in this situation to "do the right thing " regarding self isolation. www.parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-an-mp-or-lord/