Newly Self Employed Hardship Grant?

ants97

paulscaff1 said:

Surely about 90% of Newly self employed are already claiming UC?? so they wont qualify for the hardship grant? Makes no sense.

This is the bit I really don't get. Who exactly are they targeting with this? Those that really need it will have already applied for universal credit etc so which would appear to exclude those who need it most. 

Jeremy535897

It says "are not yet in receipt" of UC or JSA. Somewhat oddly it also lists SSP, and UC again where you have applied for but not received any UC. Let's look at this logically. You can claim the hardship grant if you are "not yet in receipt of UC". You can't claim the hardship grant if you have applied for UC but not received anything yet. If you receive a hardship grant you must inform DWP you have received the hardship grant, if you have applied for UC (it will be income for UC). It is therefore possible to receive the hardship fund in a UC assessment period. This implies that you can claim UC after you claim the hardship grant. It doesn't say that if you stop claiming UC before claiming the hardship grant, you are OK to claim the hardship grant, but I think it must mean that. What if you claimed UC a year ago? Would that prevent claiming the hardship grant?

I think that to have any chance of claiming the hardship grant, you would first have to stop the UC claim. I can't see any issue of starting it up again after you claim the hardship grant, but it seems a bizarre conclusion to reach. It would be best to discuss it with the council before applying. I assume you will have a few days to apply?

paulscaff1

Exactly my point, really hope this gets addressed.  Maybe a loophole would be that if you cancel your UC then you are classed as "not in reciept of UC"  and could then apply for the grant, but this could be risky.
Hopefully Martin Lewis might address this on tonights show as its another gap that loads of us will fall through!

Jeremy535897

paulscaff1 said:

Exactly my point, really hope this gets addressed.  Maybe a loophole would be that if you cancel your UC then you are classed as "not in reciept of UC"  and could then apply for the grant, but this could be risky.
Hopefully Martin Lewis might address this on tonights show as its another gap that loads of us will fall through!

It says "not yet in receipt". I don't like that word.

paulscaff1

Ive just called the scottish business helpline they confirmed ineligibility if you are already claiming UC/JSA.

paulscaff1

Ive emailed the scottish government, see what they say.

Jeremy535897

Wording slightly different here:
https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/coronavirus-advice/sources-of-funding/newly-self-employed-hardship-fund
Bit on benefits says:
"you do not receive working age benefit payments (Universal Credit, Statutory Sick Pay, Employment and Support Allowance, Job Seekers’ Allowance, Income Support) or have applied for but not yet started receiving Universal Credit"

No sign of the abominable yet

spencerrothchild

Yes it’s too risky to claim UC before the SE hardship grant

you may jeopardise your grant

paulscaff1

Im already claiming UC, already had my firat payment.
Im going to cancel it today and say ive got some self employed work.  Then apply for the grant next week.
Il let you all know how I get on lol.

paulscaff1

£2000 is around equal to 26 weeks of UC for me. No brainer!