Self-Employed HMRC update

[Snorkelface]

HMRC has added a few updates for the self employed grant scheme.

www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme

While HMRC will be contacting eligible claimants directly over the next couple of weeks with more specific details you can now see if you're eligible to claim and what date you'll be able to lodge your claim by using their on-line tool (about half way down their web page).

You'll need your UTR and NI number to do this and it will also give you the opportunity to set up your Gateway account if you don't already have one and to update your contact details. It's a good idea to set this up now as the website is likely to get very busy when it goes live on 13th May.

You can find both your UTR and NI number on your tax return. If you're setting up your Gateway at the same time you'll need to provide email/mobile details and you'll need to set up additional security measures to identify you using either security questions or drivers license details or your passport. The system can time out so it's a good idea to have all the details to hand.

hello everyone, I just wondered - I have had quite a few jobs cancelled due to coronavirus, including one fairly significant client whom I usually invoice approx £500 p/m with no date for that to restart.

However I still have other work, so it's not like I have been affected to the tune of the full grant. Rather more like I have lost approx 30% of my regular income.

Would you in my situation apply for the grant even though it's a lot more than I have lost? I get tax credits and housing benefit which will be affected.

In a way I feel I would be silly not to, but in another way I feel that getting 80% when I have lost 30% is a large difference and you can't claim less (although I suspect strongly that I will lose more over the course of the next year). I have also had to purchase some working from home expenses and equipment etc. What would others do in my situation?

AlexDrake
He's been my client for 30 years
he realted the conversation with the named HMRC officer in great detail
He cannot set up a gateway account because he does not have the right ID
and unless he magically gets a passport or a new drivers licence
that is a problem
for HMRC

mallow
Just claim

ListeningQuietly - he can claim on the phone, and an adviser will take the details for a manual claim. I did umpteen today, as an hmrc adviser.

@MyNameIsAlexDrake I thought agents were not allowed to make the claim? Which department did you ring?

#@MyNameIsAlexDrake Sorry I misunderstood!! What department does my client need to ring, he was almost in terras today.

Alexdrake
He spent HOURS on the phone.
He does not have the ID details that meet gateway account rules

• no passport
• no photo drivers licence
• no property ownership or tenancy details
• no debt

If you can think of a way round it (I have the name of the HMRC bod he's talking to I can intervene as they accept my existence) I'd be grateful (PM if you know a trick)

And me too 👍

The HMRC Covid 19 helpline number is 0800 024 1222.
If unable to make a claim online because you couldn't verify for government gateway, and you are eligible to make a claim, you will be able to contact the helpline and request that they take a manual claim.

Userxx - no, agent's can't apply on behalf of heir clients the individual needs to make a claim themselves.

Many don't have or need their own personal tax account set up on government gateway as they use their agents for this. If you have a valid passport or drivers licence then you can go through the steps of setting up a government gateway for the purpose of making a claim. This should work fine.
The problem is when you don't have either of these. Verify will usually work with 3rd parties to verify the person (credit ref agencies, post office etc) to set up the account but it seems that there are issues with that platform at the moment when it comes to setting up and claiming the grant. When this is the issue then the person is classed as 'digitally excluded' and will be able to make a claim on the phone.

Listening if you have been acting for him for 30 years would the HMRC take a signed undertaking from you in your professional capacity if other normal ID documents for him are not available? Do you hold any ID on file for him for AML requirements that would suffice? Does he have a bank statement? Just trying to think a bit outside the box really.

magicmallow I'm in the same situation. My income is down to around 60%, DH is back working so on full pay plus overtime soon. We 've managed since the start of this when he was put on furlough and paid everything (luckily no extra curricular activities to pay for with the kids). I was considering not claiming it because, unlike so many other self employed, I'm still able to work online and have money coming in. BUT, who knows how long this will go on for? I may be online and on 60% for the next six months, so have decided to apply (I am eligible) as the money would be a rainy day back up.

magicmallow similar for me. Currently experiencing a 40% reduction BUT I have 3 children who are not at school and if schools stay shut until the end of the academic year then realistically my reduction in income will remain. This payment is meant to be March-May and I only started seeing the drop in April. My thinking is that in the event of no extension for self employed this grant will see me through until I can sort out childcare and get things back on track. Hopefully. So yes I agree, just claim it.

Good luck with Day 2 of claims - please let everyone know how you get on.

Thanks @snorkelface, waiting for midday here.

Thanks to everyone who posted yesterday about their claims, very reassuring.

Mine went through

@slartibartfastsbeard @Dontrainonmyparade thank you it's good to know that i am not the only one in this situation.

I'm just worried about making a wrong move! I have evidence in the form of emails from clients that they have pulled the plug on some projects. Hopefully this will be enough.

I think I may claim this one but if it's ongoing maybe not again as it should even out over the course of time if I get paid more this time.

Can't get in at the mo although it's my slot time - too many people trying to access it at once!

@Jellykat Thanks for the email address - I will pass it over to my client and duck for cover!! A few of them think I should be sorting the claims despite me telling them its not allowed.

I've just done mine. For those making their claims..........

The system is very busy and has a holding page explaining this. It says you can come back later or you can stay on that page while they keep trying to connect you with the system and you don't need to keep refreshing the page. This works. It magically switched to the claim page after ten minutes.

You need....

Your UTR
Your NI number
Your Gateway account ID (you can set this up at this stage if need be)
Your Gateway password (you can set this up at this stage if need be)
Your bank sort code
Your bank account number
Your billing address associated with that bank account
You will be told how much your grant is and shown how the calculation was made and given a reference number.
There is an option to save/print this info for your records - do this. It also contains information about what to do if you haven't received the money after 6 days or you believe the grant is incorrect.

It took a few minutes and the grant was exactly as expected.

I got in and my experience was exactly the same as Snorkelface. I had to wait about 25 minutes on the holding page but then was put through automatically. From there it was really quick and easy, and I got the amount I was expecting roughly. Obviously I won't relax entirely until it hits the account, but presuming that happens without a hitch that's a massive weight off my mind. Good luck to everyone else!

More of my clients have done theirs and yes, its working fine 90% of the time

Thanks for all the information on this thread. As Snorkelface has said it a bit of a wait to get through on the site. I had my iPad & iPhone set up and my iPhone got through in about 20 minutes. My iPad didn’t get through at all. Very easy to apply and my husband will receive pretty much what we’d worked out in 6 days. Good luck everyone

All sorted here- really easy, took my OH about 5 mins to get on and he’s getting pretty much exactly what we worked out- actually one pound more than we calculated! A relief at last!

I just did mine on my PC and it all went smoothly. The amount was as expected, and will pay an invoice which in turn will help that business.

Thanks for the advice on this thread.

Experience the same as @Snorkelface, little bit of a wait but was all very smooth. Amounts as expected for both me and my husband individually.

🍾 later I think and 🤞 Dishy Rishi extends the scheme.

Also a massive thanks to everyone here.