Self employment grant not eligible help

NJWhite

My husband has been self employed most of his working life. However, for 9 months of 2018 he became employed, realised it wasn't for him, and went back to being self employed which he has been ever since. When we do the self employment grant scheme check it says he isn't eligible, and I can only assume it's because of this mix of employment/self-employment in 2018. Is anyone else having a similar issue that can offer any advice? he hasn't worked for 6 weeks now and money is VERY tight.
Thank you

calcotti

If needed look at eligibility for Universal Credit https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/. 

There are online calculators to help you assess entitlement  https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

Be aware that claiming UC will end any Tax Credits, Housing Benefit or other means tested benefits you currently get.

You will be excluded from UC if you have savings over £16,000.

You may also be able to claim Council Tax Reduction from your local council.

If you are part of a couple you both have to claim and assessed on your joint circumstances.

Jeremy535897

NJWhite said:

My husband has been self employed most of his working life. However, for 9 months of 2018 he became employed, realised it wasn't for him, and went back to being self employed which he has been ever since. When we do the self employment grant scheme check it says he isn't eligible, and I can only assume it's because of this mix of employment/self-employment in 2018. Is anyone else having a similar issue that can offer any advice? he hasn't worked for 6 weeks now and money is VERY tight.
Thank you

I wouldn't automatically assume it is right. It is saying no in some inexplicable cases. Here is a good example showing how the 50% test works:

Eligibility

If you have traded for all 3 years we will first look at your 2018 to 2019 Self Assessment tax return. Your trading profits must be no more than £50,000 and at least equal to your non-trading income.

If you’re not eligible based on the 2018 to 2019 Self Assessment tax return, we will then look at the tax years 2016 to 2017, 2017 to 2018, and 2018 to 2019.

Example

	2016 to 2017	2017 to 2018	2018 to 2019	Average for the 3 tax years	Total
Trading profit	£50,000	£50,000	-£10,000 - not eligible	£30,000	£90,000
Non-trading income	£15,000	£15,000	£15,000	N/A	£45,000
Eligibility using the tax year 2018 to 2019 only	N/A	N/A	No	N/A	No
Eligibility using the 3 tax years	N/A	N/A	N/A	Yes	Yes

So even if you made a loss in the tax year 2018 to 2019, you would still be eligible because:

• your average for the 3 tax years is £30,000 - which is less than £50,000
• the sum of the trading profits for the 3 tax years (£90,000) is at least equal to the sum of your non-trading income of £45,000 for those years