Self Employed - am I really not entitled to anything?

baileysonice72

I left my full time job in January 2019 and registered as self employed. I started a domestic house cleaning service. Just me, I don't employ anyone. Business has been great and I filed my first S/A tax return. In the last 2.5 weeks all of my work has been cancelled due to COVID-19. Clients are either cancelling because to have a cleaner is a luxury or they've been self isolating and I cannot go into their homes. I too am now self-isolating from since yesterday due to a family member here unwell.
Because I did not make enough profit from being self employed in the tax year 18/19 I cannot benefit from the proposed government scheme.
I am unable to receive Universal Credit because my husband works full time and earns apparently too much money in their eligibility requirements, and then I am also unable to claim any SSP right now because I'm self employed. 
So is it right, that I actually cannot get any help whatsoever .... I am completely perplexed right now, not to mention very upset.
In all my 30 years of working, I have only had 12 months off for maternity, and claimed the 'dole' as it was back then in the 90's for 6 weeks! Nothing else has ever been given to me nor have I asked for it, but right now when my little world has collapsed and I need help, there is nowhere to turn.

Jeremy535897

I sympathise but there is nothing currently available to help, except a mortgage break if you have one.

MrsPepperpot

Have you checked out which benefits you may be able to receive. This link is for those who can not claim Universal Credit
https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators
It may be worth having a look.
I know it probably doesn't help, but you are truly not on your own in your situation, there are many of us who are completely perplexed by the whole system.

p00hsticks

I'm not a benefits expert, but as you say you were working full time until January 2019, I wonder if you might be able to apply for new style JSA, which isn't means tested ? As far as I'm aware it would depend on your NI record for the tax years 2017-18 and 2018-19. The knowledgeable people over on the Benefits board should be able to say if this is a possibility.....

Z33

Hi I been self employed & employment for the last 3 years. My self employment profit is more than 50% of my total income. Will HMRC average of last 3 years self employment profit or average of my 3 years total income for the self employment grant? Thanks 

Jeremy535897

Self employment profit.