Self-employment support during coronavirus

The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme helps people who are self-employed and struggling with income because of coronavirus. If you’re not eligible for the scheme, you may be able to apply for other support such as benefits.

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme

The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme offers 2 taxable grants.

The first grant is:

• 3 months’ income in one payment
• worth 80% of your average monthly trading profits
• capped at a total of £7,500
• subject to Income Tax and self-employed National Insurance

If you’re eligible and want to claim the first grant you must make your claim on or before 13 July 2020.

The second grant will be:

• 3 months’ income in one payment
• worth 70% of your average monthly trading profits
• capped at a total of £6,570
• subject to Income Tax and self-employed National Insurance

You’ll be able to make a claim for the second and final grant in August 2020.

How HMRC works out total income and trading profits for the Self-employment Income Support Scheme (GOV.UK)

Videos and free webinars about Self-Employment Income Support (GOV.UK)

Check if you can claim Self-Employment Income Support

You will be eligible if you’re either:

• a self-employed individual
• a member of a partnership

and all of the following apply. You:

• have submitted your Self Assessment tax return for the tax year 2018 to 2019
• traded in the tax year 2019 to 2020
• are trading when you apply or would be except for coronavirus
• intend to continue to trade in the tax year 2020 to 2021
• have lost trading profits due to coronavirus

Your self-employed trading profits must also be:

• at least equal to your non-trading income
• less than £50,000

If you’re still not sure if you’re eligible, you can check using the Government’s online tool. Your tax agent or adviser can do this on your behalf.

You’ll need your:

• Self Assessment Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) number
• National Insurance number

Check if you can claim Self-Employment Income Support (GOV.UK)

Self-employment Income Support Scheme (GOV.UK)

How to claim

You can claim online. If you’re eligible and your claim is approved, you’ll get your payment within 6 working days.

How to claim (GOV.UK)

If you’re not eligible for Self-employment Income Support

You may be eligible for:

• deferring your Self-Assessment income tax payments (GOV.UK)
• deferring VAT payments (GOV.UK)
• Universal Credit (GOV.UK)
• New Style Employment and Support Allowance (GOV.UK)
• New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance (GOV.UK)
• grants for businesses that pay little or no business rates (GOV.UK)

If you’re not sure what support you can get, contact our helpline for advice.

Contact the Scope helpline

Other coronavirus support

You may also be able to get help with your council tax or rent.

Council tax support during coronavirus

Financial support for renters during coronavirus

Money worries can be stressful and hard, it’s also important to get support if you need it.

Mental health and coronavirus

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