Self-employed, on WTC but no other benefits - Entitled to Corona cover for loss of work?

mongoose11

Hi all,
Just listened to the young chancellor and see employees will be entitled to 3 mths cover with up to 80% of their wage being paid, which is very good, but for the self-employed, all I could make out was an extra 1000gbp a yr or 19gbp a week. Have they thought this through, or have I missed something. I have no savings, no children, rent and live alone.
Thanks, if someone wouldn't mind clarifying.

justwhat

you are correct. If you have a commercial property in certain types of businesses you may be able to get a grant. You may also be able to get a interest free loan for 12 months. WTC and UC have 1k increase for those on max.
so nothing for SE / SE with savings.
SE  have been hung out to dry. 

mongoose11

You may also be able to get a interest free loan for 12 months

Thanks, thought I heard right. This interest free loan - is this available to wtc SE workers with no equity?

justwhat

mongoose11 said:

You may also be able to get a interest free loan for 12 months

Thanks, thought I heard right. This interest free loan - is this available to wtc SE workers with no equity?

unsure , but you still need to pay it back. That's a bit dodgy if you have no work. 

mongoose11

unsure , but you still need to pay it back. That's a bit dodgy if you have no work. 

Thanks. Future rental payments on my flat is my main worry now.

mongoose11

Edit: so it seems WTC SE are entitled to claim UC for loss of work and to quote one guardian commenter: (although can you switch back when work returns + have/will they set up a fast track system?)

In fact, my projected figure of £491 including the £1000 boost (£1000/12=83.33) is incorrect because SSP seems to be separate from UC - and there was no suggestion of raising SSP. Sunak said self-employed people would get UC 'at a rate equivalent to Statutory Sick Pay for employees', so it will only be £408.

So £408 for the month? That would really help if possible - Don't want to clog up HMRC hotline but if this is correct, would some one pls mind confirming. Full discussion can be found here

justwhat

You could not go from UC to WTC. WTC is getting fazed. 
No one wants to come off WTC. lol  
There was talk of landlords passing there 3 month interest free period onto tenant. But i cannot see how that would work and the tenants still have to pay it back. Assuming the LL has a mortgage.
Why don't you just go UC? (you dont have any savings)

Icequeen1

mongoose11 said:

Edit: so it seems WTC SE are entitled to claim UC for loss of work and to quote one guardian commenter: (although can you switch back when work returns + have/will they set up a fast track system?)

In fact, my projected figure of £491 including the £1000 boost (£1000/12=83.33) is incorrect because SSP seems to be separate from UC - and there was no suggestion of raising SSP. Sunak said self-employed people would get UC 'at a rate equivalent to Statutory Sick Pay for employees', so it will only be £408.

So £408 for the month? That would really help if possible - Don't want to clog up HMRC hotline but if this is correct, would some one pls mind confirming. Full discussion can be found here

No you can't go back to WTC if you claim UC. If you have rent to pay and need help with that, you would need to claim UC and that would end your WTC claim. However, there may be more announcements in teh coming days for the self-employed. 

calcotti

mongoose11 said:

Edit: so it seems WTC SE are entitled to claim UC for loss of work and to quote one guardian commenter: (although can you switch back when work returns + have/will they set up a fast track system?)

So £408 for the month? That would really help if possible - Don't want to clog up HMRC hotline but if this is correct, would some one pls mind confirming. Full discussion can be found here

As others have said you will not switch back. Your WTC will end. You will get about £408/month (I haven't seen confirmation of the exact amount) plus something towards the rent (usually it is less than the full rent but yesterdays announcement has increased the rent allowances). You need to compare this with the amount off WTC you get.
There are benefit calculators here https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators (but the answers will probably be bout £80/month less than you would actually get because it is unlikely they have been updated to reflect yesterday's announcements).

mongoose11

No one wants to come off WTC. lol  

Thanks all, holding out till this evening - haven't rung in just yet. 
Can't see tonights predictions for people claiming Working Tax Credits, but seen rumors people on UC will not be given a leg up. Should people on WTC's be concerned O_o'

calcotti

mongoose11 said:

No one wants to come off WTC. lol  

Thanks all, holding out till this evening - haven't rung in just yet. 
Can't see tonights predictions for people claiming Working Tax Credits, but seen rumors people on UC will not be given a leg up. Should people on WTC's be concerned O_o'

People on both UC and WTC have already been given an extra £1000/year to be introduced from 6th April.