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.

Have you checked your council doesn't offer a council tax break for unfurnished/empty properties? Ours offers six months and then a 10% reduction.

They might be open to negotiate right now too!

Thanks for the link @ListeningQuietly

the work could start drying up tomorrow as the lockdown period takes it's toll on clients and the effects of that may not be felt yet and could last some time. And this grant may be all that's coming to the self-employed if they don't extend the scheme for a longer period of time.

This is more like my position. I have money that's come in and is coming in from work lined up/started/finished before Covid, but the future looks vaguer. I might be in trouble if they DO stick to making one payment only.

Scarfladysbag, thanks for the suggestion but my council will actually start charging me extra after six months. I'm hoping I'll get it let or sold by then but who knows.

intermittent
THen claim now and use later

You do all know that the minimum income floor in UC and minimum income for self employed in tax credits is dropped at the moment which might help some people

Not sure how long that is going on for though

Intermittent - I think this is a the position for a lot of people. I think people need to be very confident about their on going work situation to not claim what they can. A lot of people I work alongside aren't only just seeing the work drop off now and aren't expecting to be working at a reasonable capacity again until next year.

ListeningQuietly, yes ,of course that's what I'll do. I just mean for me (and a lot of other people, my DP included), work maybe non-existent or very patchy for a long time, longer than one payment will stretch.

Intermittent
I know people who will have no income till next April (summer event workers)
Many of my friends and clients have no income till the schools are fully open and performance spaces are back in full use
its bloody tough

Listening, maybe you move in circles somewhat similar to mine. My DP works in public/participatory/educational art (large events, and working in schools and with community groups), so his usual pattern of winter festivals, summer outdoor things and term-time schools work has just vaporised. If (!!?) I carry on earning OK we can manage, but that's an if, plus it's not great for his mental health and general happiness.
A lot of our friends and his clients/colleagues/contacts are in the same boat too. It's really scary. So many people are finding things so hard.

Very strange. Bounce back loan deposited in my account today without any confirmation text or email, no loan agreement. Just... the money put in my account.
I only applied for the minimal but thought I’d update for anyone else who was looking into them.

Ps I have checked my junk/spam etc. Nothing.

@Bimbleboo how was the process, did they ask for lots of personal information ? I’m in the process of buying a house do really didn’t want more debt but I like the idea of a cushion in case it gets really bad

@chrissiekeller61. No it was strangely simple. Not even a form to fill. I answered five questions and that was it. Oddly easy.

This SEISS is stressful! My originally it said DH was ineligible, then it said he is. Signed up for a gov gateway account, now its saying ineligible again. Highly stressful.

Has anyone else had it say they are ineligible when they know they qualify?
DH meets all the criteria but it is coming back saying ineligible? We are relying on this and it's devastating.
The only thing we can think of is one year his profits were £51000 but we understood it was an average over the 3 tax years which makes him most definitely under?

@waterjungle my DH is the same. His profits are all under £50k though.

HMRC said to apply for a review, but they wont even be looked at until after 18th May.

IFancyANamechange
Thanks - did they give a reason for it being denied? Especially if he definitely fitted the criteria, did you contact them through phone or email?

waterjungle No, we havent been able to reach them at all, planning on calling tomorrow. I read on Twitter that they wont review until 18th May. There are hundreds of people saying the same thing, so hopefully its a glitch!

My DH has has been told he is ineligible. We are sure that is wrong. He meets all the criteria. We have read and re-read all that and he definitely should be able to get it.

He asked for a review yesterday so we will have to see what happens. I honestly think there is a glitch in the system.

Their online chat is quite good for HMRC for tax credits, maybe that would be a way to contact them. It pops up when you are online on the gov gateway sometimes.

Has anyone had an email this morning ? I got one despite being told I’m ineligible... it’s a roller coaster of emotions right now lol

I think they should justify why they consider you ineligible when you actually meet the criteria. Doesn’t stack up otherwise...

I think they should justify why they consider you ineligible when you actually meet the criteria.
I deal with HMRC day in day out year in year out
have done for the last 30 years
and the phrase not a chance springs to mind.

HMRC hate self employed people using accountants
so they are cutting us out of this loop
rather than letting us help our clients

I e we pups have thought HMRC would prefer an accountants legible details rather than the two boxes of receipts I’m going to hand them if ever I’m audited