Slipping through every net possible - Not eligible for any grant help!

Shellybobbo

I don't know if anyone else is having the same problem, but I did my first full year self employed in the tax year 2019/20 and really pleased to say had a very successful first year! Work has been cut dramatically because of the Coronavirus, but because I work from home I have managed to keep some work coming in, probably a fifth of what I normally do. I got my tax return completed as soon as possible, which I thought may help my case, but still I am not entitled to any of the grants available! I earn just too much to get universal credit, but took a small advance from them at the beginning to help me through (adding to debt!) I don't have premises and my self employed trade in 18/19 was under £1000 (as I was still employed at that time) so I wasn't required to complete a tax return, so HMRC won't even consider me, even when I explained that my current tax return would show that I had been trading and could prove loss of earnings! 
I have looked at every grant possible and always seem to slip through on something! 
Does anyone have any other advice or know anywhere else I could try? 
I looked at my local council but they don't cover people working from home
Thank you and hope everyone is keeping safe and well!

poppy12345

As you received the advance payment from UC i'm assuming your income reduced your entitlement to zero. There's no other benefits or help that i know of.

Grumpy_chap

You can defer tax payments.
You may be eligible for BBLS.
Loan / mortgage payment holidays may be possible, but these are expensive in the long term.

Shellybobbo

Scary! I thought I had exhausted all avenues but always worth an ask
Yes just earning over the threshold which is better as it is more than UC but it is worrying when you don't seem to fit anywhere!
I am trying not to defer if I can help it, as it worries me about paying off in the future.
Thanks both for the replies.

petra_c

Shellybobbo - my husband is in a similar position and we just found out that we are not eligible for anything he's been self employed the last 5 years and always working for someone as well to substitute his income, unfortunately his income from self employment is has been lower than 50%. The annoying thing is that this past tax year 2019/2020 he was self employed only and earned a lot more money than the years before - if the support was based on the last year, we would have got the max. £2500/month. But we get nothing at all, UC is not an option because I have been furloughed and still get paid. 

Shellybobbo

Petra_c - I feel your pain
I was under the impression that the gov were going to try to help those that just missed out on the original grant, or would at least consider them for a grant but I got a straight no! I don't want to take the loan as it is just more debt! Very unfair!