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.

Morning! Hope those who were still waiting for funds are receiving them today. Please keep posting here as there will still be people claiming for the grant (the dates were all given were just the first date we could claim, the scheme remains open), all information is useful.

As tension mounts over whether the scheme will be extended there's a petition mentioned in the mainstream media if you want to sign it and leave your opinion if you like (names and emails are not made public). It needs 100,000 signatures, it's got 53,000 odd at the moment. Sometimes a bit of shouting can make a difference. Boris Johnson said there would be parity in the schemes - but he says a lot of things....

Here's the petition......

platform.organise.org.uk/campaigns/rishi-sunak-extend-self-employed-income-support

There's also the Treasury's inquiry into the support given by the government. Evidence is being accepted until 27th May, anyone can have their say, that means us. The self employed is high up the list of topics.

committees.parliament.uk/call-for-evidence/106/economic-impact-of-coronavirus/

Got mine yesterday! Phew 😅

For anyone who hasn't had payment yet. I went online and it still says processing ( you can check the status of your claim). I applied last Wednesday so over 6 days.

Went on the HMRC web chat but it couldn't understand the question I was asking so rang them. After going through all the options it states that whilst it should be 6 days some banks / payments are taking 10 days and the advisers can't help until after 10 working days. So I will bide my time and ring next week. Just to save anyone else ringing and holding.

Just to update. Now had email saying it's been processed and payment will be with me within 3 working days.

Do Saturday and Monday count as working days, or could we potentially have another week?

I'm guessing not if they are counting formally but it says within 3 working days so hopefully it should hit soon. I'll update this thread when it does.

Hard to tell Merlin, I received that email after I'd receive the payment! But at least you know it's on its way now. I reckon the 6 days also include weekends, only because some people had claim dates at the weekend so they don't seem to be treating them differently.

Thanks Snorkel. Was a bit worried that I hadn't received an email but happy now I have one. So typical. I did my partners on the friday and he had his money by the Tuesday. He thinks that's hilarious.

Do you think the self employed will get any further payments to cover June?

Doesn't look like I'll have any work next month either as my business supplies restaurants and cafes which are not set to open until July and even then I think things will be slow!

My money has finally arrived, a mere 13 days after I applied!
"Within 6 working days" my arse! Even taking off Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Monday it was 8.

Pollysproggle - no one knows yet, fingers crossed, a lot of people are completely stuffed if they don't extend the grant.

My clients are wondering what they are expected to live on for the next few months
especially those who will definitely not be allowed to open for many months

Ours came really quick but really worried for the next few months. Sort of worried the gov assumes the self employed are mostly working...

Hahahaha mostly working.
I'm a storyteller, I've earned £20 since lockdown! I did a video storytime for a local library with a good "friends of" group.
I have no prospect of decently paid work until large groups of children can gather, social distancing and storytelling do not combine.

Sparetime
I have several clients who are tattooists ....

and my DH is another one who works with school groups - I know your pain.

My income is largely reliant on footfall and tourism in this rural part of Wales.. Without the hospitality sector being open and able to function, i have little to no customers to sell to!

I'm 56 ffs, i didn't train and spend my whole life getting to this point, to become another UC statistic for the sake of a few months!

My grant came in overnight finally.

Should have said. I applied lunchtime the 13th so it's taken 2 weeks but I only got the email confirmation on Friday that the money was on the way. All in all just over 8 proper working days so not too bad.

Hope those still waiting have now received their money or at least the email. Now just to hope they extend it !!!

Now just to hope they extend it !!!

I really can't see it happening.

I really can't see it happening.

To be honest neither can I. But I think they are due an announcement tomorrow? It would be nice if we were all treated semi equally rather than employees being given money TIL October and us being g ignored but who knows

I hope they do. With me not working we're losing a lot of income and don't qualify for universal credit.

😪 I kept hoping. It is going to ruin so many of us.

Oh crumbs - is that really it then? Bugger.