Helping someone with cash gift

[tryintohelp]

Does anyone know whether you can give a cash gift to someone who is self-employed and you contract (and contact) through an agency please?

I don't want to mess up her UC claim. She's not working for us at present due to Covid, and from what the agency has said, paying for work would cause issues with the agency's furlough claim. I would like to get something to her if possible, as a gift. Would a gift card be ok within tax rules and not cause issues with her benefits claim, and are there any limits?

Is it your business buying it or you personally? Also is it being bought for her/given to her directly or for the agency with express instruction to give to her?

I'm a private individual buying it. It would have to be passed via the agency with the instruction to give it to her.

If it's not going directly from you to her, I'd be a bit wary. Why don't you send them a small gift with a note with your contact details in saying they could contact you directly and if they do, then you can give them a 'gift' directly?

Something like a voucher to use in her local supermarket would be a really nice idea. Can you be sure she'd actually get it?

Thanks, I will try the voucher approach