Self employed beauty therapist. How to get help?

irvin38aa

My wife is a self employed beauty therapist. She rents a table at a beauty salon. She has today made the tough decision to close her business (along with the salon owner) for the timebeing due to Coronavirus. 

Obviously she now won’t be earning any money but the bills will continue to come in. We understand she may be entitled to Universal Credit? Some have even mentioned government grants? Just after some advice on what she may be entitled to and how to get the ball rolling on anything she’s entitled to. 

We’re worried she won’t be eligible as there has been no rule announced to close all salons. 

Have read there may be more help coming for self employed people but if there isn’t how do we go about universal credit claim?

Thanks

cs101

The government will announce this evening as I understand.

Neutrinno

She can apply for universal credit currently. Gov grants apply only to businesses not sole traders.

irvin38aa

Neutrinno said:

She can apply for universal credit currently. Gov grants apply only to businesses not sole traders.

Even though I am employed? I work for a car manufacturer who has shut down due to having no parts. Getting full pay whilst we are off (banking hours).  However my wages won’t cover all the bills. 

Jeremy535897

You are very fortunate. I suspect your income will preclude a claim for universal credit though. There are grants for businesses and they do not depend on who runs them, so sole traders are not excluded. The problem is that most sole trader no employee businesses won't qualify because they don't occupy property (a table in a salon won't be "property" for this purpose). There are self assessment tax deferrals if she pays tax. There are business interruption loans but the trouble is any loan would be to replace lost spending power so I doubt the banks would be interested.

irvin38aa

Thanks all. Was hoping something would be announced today to help but doesn’t look like it. 

trying_to_live_on_a_budge

Can anyone advise - my husband and I are self employed - (different businesses)- we get Working Tax Allowance -  my husband can no longer work due to coronavirus so usually as the main money coming in from him we need financial help -  I just earn £2400 a year -  do I try to get universal credit or is this not possible as we already get working tax allowance or will this allowance be stopped and we have to apply for universal credit - please any help gratefully received

Jeremy535897

I assume you mean working tax credit. There is doubt about entitlement to WTC if the claimant is not working the hours required (the doubt is whether the requirement might be relaxed during this crisis). Read the Government's COVID 19: support for businesses, but the only option might be universal credit. Do the eligibility checker. Unfortunately UC is often worse than WTC (when you work the hours) and once you move from WTC to UC there is no going back. If you have a mortgage, consider asking for a mortgage holiday. If you rent, try asking the landlord/agent for time to pay. Look for jobs.