Self employed and renters have been completey shafted.

[Greysparkles]

Just that really.

@midgebabe SE people have insurance for sickness, injury and the like. My dad had comprehensive insurance to cover him and paid a fair amount for it too!
Problem is he's neither sick, nor injured. His insurance won't pay out for a pandemic.

The government have effectively stopped his work overnight and have basically told him to get on with it on a measly £400 pm. For something that isn't is fault and couldn't be planned for.

Whilst others are getting £2000 pm.

Both people in the exact same situation. It's fucking wrong.

justify how you can treat individuals so so differently by paying 1 80 % of their wage and another £94 a week. and just £73pw for all those who were laid off today, just hours before the Chancellor's announcement.

Both people in the exact same situation. It's fucking wrong. Yes, and it's fucking wrong that people were laid off today, within hours of the Chancellor's statement, and don't get a damned thing.

(Well, they get the statutory lay off pay - which is a max of £145 for thirteen weeks, or just over £11 a week.)

@MereDintofPandiculation Absolutely horrific. They have done over such a significant proportion of this country; I don't know how more people aren't up in arms..

Oh wait, it doesn't affect them so they don't give a shit.
All in this together my arse.

I am a sole trader, so no help for me either. I I am absolutely devastated by this governments absolute disregard.

With regards to rebates due in the next few months there's a large number of self-employed construction workers, all trades, who will be due rebates due to the CIS system and are reliant on them every year. If they don't get their rebates all hell will let loose, I doubt HMRC would freeze the system both ways. But who knows.

I get no help at all, self-employed due to ill health but not eligible for UC, expect there's lots in same boat.

Yes @KoalasandRabbit you’re absolutely not alone, though it does feel that way.

I think they will improve the offerings for self employed because there is outrage about it. I for one will continue to shout for it to be increased and better support for renters too. I'm not self employed or a renter but it is unacceptable that they are expected to live on £94.

I really do ' give a shit' ! My heart bleeds for people in this situation it's so stressful and to be overlooked is a kick in the teeth.
My niece is in the same boat. Millions are.
We're not all heartless. This virus is devastating. The government need to listen here.

I just feel utterly overwhelmed. I've spent the last few weeks trying to keep positive, keeping a distance to try and keep well and protect others and telling myself we're all in the same boat. It's all been for nothing. I feel like I don't exist, I don't matter, despite over the last more than 30 years paying thousands and thousands in taxes. I've never had a penny in any sort of benefits, and I've always been absolutely fine with that as I haven't needed them but I believed they would be available to me when I needed them. I'm done. Absolutely nothing left.

I feel so sorry for the self employed I do think that we need to make our feelings known the next time we go to the ballot box. Losing everything overnight and being poor is scary, many of us have known that for years. I just wish that other people weren't going to experience it.

When things do improve, I implore you not to forget the fear you have now, and vote for a party who will prioritise people in your position now, and not their rich employer mates

@PeterWeg the courts are closed ?

Oh, and as someone who became disabled and did lose everything overnight, I can only reassure you that it ISN'T the end of the world, even though it feels like it. And the people at DWP are, in my experience at least, much nicer and more helpful than the press make out. You can also get an advance on UC claims, and make claims online.

I am so so sorry for all of you going through this

I don't know if I am reading the guidance right but it reads to me that the support is only intended for those who actually have Covid 19 or who have been advised to self-isolate. So you would not be entitled just because you have lost all your business. I am not sure I am reading this right though...

What if I am self-employed or not eligible for SSP? If you are not eligible for SSP – for example if you are self-employed or earning below the Lower Earnings Limit of £118 per week – and you have COVID-19 or are advised to self-isolate you can now more easily make a claim for Universal Credit (UC) or new style Employment and Support Allowance

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/873676/Covid-19_fact_sheet_18_March.pdf

At least you are not a nonEU immigrant, they get exactly £0 in help because they are prohibited from claiming benefits by their work visas.

I will be doing my husband's on the 6th April as he is also due a rebate and it will be very welcome

Me too! Preparing it all now, ready to go.

Nothing new really. I’ve been SE for years and have felt screwed over many times.
It absolutely stinks. Most of us are unlikely to have businesses to return to when this is all over, by then the government will care even less.

Universal Credit is the other option but savings will be taken into account (unlike with ESA), so any savings between £6000-£16000 will reduce your benefit, anything over that and you don't qualify at all. and before anyone says anything about using up savings, these rules don't apply to the employed getting 80% if they are furloughed.

@mement0mori

That was guidance two days ago. Self employed now to claim UC and will receive it at rate of £94 pw, the standard SSP rate.

Why they dreamt up linking UC payments with SSP amounts who knows!

EightNineTen

Thanks, are there any links to info or is it too premature for that?

During the current phase of the corona virus outbreak, the business of our courts and tribunals continues

Courts are not closed, I just got this from the Gov uk website.

Sorry, that was for ChrissieKeller61 re PeterWeg's post.

I am absolutely astounded at the attitude of those in the privileged position of receiving 80%.

I'm alright Jack. Pull the ladder up.

Selfish, nasty bastards.