Left job to become self-employed - able to be furloughed by old company???

julti

Hi, I left my old job in march to go self employed. i did a couple of days for my new employer on a self employed basis, but I do not have any permanent employment as such to go to. Can my old company furlough me??

poppy12345

If you were on the payroll between Feb 28th and March 19th there's nothing stopping you're previous employer from furloughing you, you'll need to speak to them. Don't be surprised if they say no though. If this happens then look at claiming Universal Credit. Savings/capital of more than £16,000 will exclude you.

A claim for UC will end any tax credits you maybe claiming.

julti

Thanks for your reply. Do I need proof of further employment though, as I read that re employing and furloughing is not possible if say you left to go travelling etc. I don’t have any proof as I became self employed!
thanks

Jeremy535897

julti said:

Thanks for your reply. Do I need proof of further employment though, as I read that re employing and furloughing is not possible if say you left to go travelling etc. I don’t have any proof as I became self employed!
thanks

Not any more. The guidance was originally restricted to people who were made redundant being rehired, but now it covers leaving for any reason:

"If you were made redundant or stopped working for your employer after 28 February 2020

Your employer can agree to re-employ you and place you on furlough. This applies if you were made redundant or stopped working for them after 28 February, even if they do not re-employ you until after 19 March. They’ll still be able to claim a grant to cover 80% of your regular wages from the date they furlough you, up to a monthly cap of £2,500. This applies as long as you were on their payroll as at 28 February and had been notified to HMRC on an RTI submission on or before 28 February 2020. This means an RTI submission notifying payment in respect of you to HMRC must have been made on or before 28 February 2020."

julti

Thanks for your reply, much appreciated