Self employed income support scheme

Dubbage

Hi, 

I'm a self employed sole trader who qualifies for the COVID-19 government grant Self-employment Income Support Scheme. I haven't had any work or income since 26th March, so the financial situation is beginning to get a bit tight, and as I cannot apply until mid May, or receive any payments until early June, I have been researching into the temporary farm work/fruit picking jobs. I know that the employed furloughed workers will still receive their full income support whilst working picking fruit etc, but does this also apply to the self employed income support scheme? 

I suspect the farm work would be low paid so it's enough to get by on but as my business bank balance has taken a battering, I will still need the back pay at a later date if my business is to survive. 

Any input is welcome. 

Cheers. 

Austeritized

Hi, I’m not sure about employed people but as I understand it self employed applicants of “seiss grant” can work and not be affected.

You can make a claim for universal credit while you wait for the grant. You should record the grant as part of your self-employment income, and it may affect the amount of Universal Credit you get. This will not affect Universal Credit claims for earlier periods.

If you receive the grant you can continue to work or take on other employment including voluntary work.

Jeremy535897

There is nothing to prevent you working, or claiming universal credit, in the SEISS guidance. You do have to intend to continue to trade as self employed when you apply for SEISS, so taking on a full time permanent job might be a problem, but not seasonal fruit picking. If you claim UC, be aware that it will irreversibly end any claim to tax credits you may be making. In the month you receive the grant, and possibly the following month, UC will probably be reduced or become zero.