Is there anything I can claim for?

AP1109

Brace yourself for this one....I am a self employed English teaching contractor but less than 50% income comes from that work. I complete a tax return at the end of the tax year however and my tax code reflects the self employment. Much of my earnings are still PAYE either through teaching agencies or the work I do for the MoD as a Reservist soldier. Due to the pandemic a self employed contract was cut short by 2 weeks, as were my wages. This was on March 13 prior to the UK going into full lockdown and schools closing so I could not get supply teaching work either.
I also rcvd notification that the following 2 PAYE contracts I had in place up to July 2020 were to be cancelled due to the pandemic and overseas travel bans.
I don't feel there is anything I am entitled to and do not qualify for Universal credit due to savings. I am doing casual PAYE work as an online examiner and casual days with the MoD. I have been told by all employers I am not entitled to any job retention scheme. One agency has offered to furlough me but I didn't do any work for them in the period they are suggesting (2019/2020} rates of pay will be based on. Can anybody help?

TheAble

On the face of it I don't think you have many options. Possibly new style JSA? How about the agencies who you did work for in 19/20 - would they furlough you?

poppy12345

AP1109 said:

 I am doing casual PAYE work as an online examiner and casual days with the MoD.

You may not even qualify for New style JSA based on this.

7Phil

Definitely sounding like you are stuck massively in the middle of everything. I know you've come here for answers but it seems like you already have them. The only clever advice I can suggest is read through everything you can including the financial charity websites like turn2us for anything that might apply.

Three main facts are:

1. You can't apply for the SEISS grant because it is less than 50% of your income
2. All PAYE sources cannot furlough you
3. You cannot apply for UC because of savings.

Prepare to draw down on those savings for the next few months. Hopefully it will only be 3-4 months tops before something turns back around.
In the meantime look at ways to minimise your outgoings through any of those options such as mortgage or loan holidays that can help you.
Finally, are there any areas in need around your local community that you can help with? Even if it's a mediocre job for a few bob to help out or even a safe volunteering job? Might be rewarding while to dip in to the savings??

Good luck and I hope you make it through these times.

As a footnote; I'll warn that there are a bunch of scorpions that run around this forum and point out the blatant obvious to people with no options except their savings but without offering any helpful advice at all. Ignore them when they come.

TheAble

7Phil said:

Definitely sounding like you are stuck massively in the middle of everything. I know you've come here for answers but it seems like you already have them. The only clever advice I can suggest is read through everything you can including the financial charity websites like turn2us for anything that might apply.

Three main facts are:

1. You can't apply for the SEISS grant because it is less than 50% of your income
2. All PAYE sources cannot furlough you
3. You cannot apply for UC because of savings.

Prepare to draw down on those savings for the next few months. Hopefully it will only be 3-4 months tops before something turns back around.
In the meantime look at ways to minimise your outgoings through any of those options such as mortgage or loan holidays that can help you.
Finally, are there any areas in need around your local community that you can help with? Even if it's a mediocre job for a few bob to help out or even a safe volunteering job? Might be rewarding while to dip in to the savings??

Good luck and I hope you make it through these times.

As a footnote; I'll warn that there are a bunch of scorpions that run around this forum and point out the blatant obvious to people with no options except their savings but without offering any helpful advice at all. Ignore them when they come.

All very sage advice. If you really are just down to the savings then it's all about making them last as long as possible until this blows over. Cut the outgoings as much as possible and take what payment holidays you can, even if it means you pay a little more interest (not so much of an issue with a mortgage given the current low rates)