Seiss intention to trade 2021

Andy511

Hi Everyone 
I run a small business and received the 1st grant due to being adversly affected by covid. I have recently had bad news regarding a cancer diagnosis and am undergoing chemotherapy which means I am currently shielding and not working due to not being covid secure at work because of the deliveries I do of my goods to customers and interaction with general public. My question is am I eligible for the 2nd grant? I still have lost my biggest customer a spa resort with no date on their return. Also if I am eligible to apply but in 2 or 3 months find that the financial position of the business is such that it is not viable to continue to trade with my recent diagnosis in mind and possibly still shielding with new lockdown etc. Will I be making a false claim? If I do decide to close down at a later date when would be acceptable and will Hmrc look to claw back one or both grants? I have not made any decisions yet due to my  chemotherapy only starting early June. Appreciate any information available thanks. 
Kind Regards 
Andy 

[Deleted User]

It is not compulsory to trade in 2021, the requirement is that at the point you apply you intend to trade in 2021, so you couldn't start winding your business up then claim, but if your business is no longer viable at a point after you claim then that is within the rules.

If you do not mind me asking when is your current course of chemotherapy due to end and when might you expect to be able to resume work? Also something worth thinking about might be less of customers because you can not supply them, it might be worth temporarily employing someone to handle deliveries and allow you to manage the business, that way there is one to come back to.

Jeremy535897

You will have to wait until 14 July to see whether your business is affected by coronavirus for the second grant. If the spa customer has not returned by then, you ought to meet that criterion.

You also have to intend to continue to trade, but that is a very subjective test. If you qualify for the grants at the time you make the claim, they cannot be clawed back due to subsequent events (for example your health takes a turn for the worse and you decide you cannot continue).

Andy511

Thanks for the feedback, I am currently on 4 months chemotherapy with stem cell therapy treatment after, I am extremely worried due to covid and the effect it will have on my immune system and kidneys due to diagnosis being a type of blood cancer which is why I am shielding. I am a one man machine at work and would need to employ 2 people to cover the work I do, financially I will be taking a hit for some time in keeping trading, but at least I will still have a business which has been trading for 25 years now. 

calcotti

If it was not for coronavirus would you be able to work while receiving chemotherapy and cell therapy treatment? Many people undergoing chemotherapy are advised not to work even in ‘normal’ times. If you would not have been able to work anyway it is arguable that your business is not adversely affected by coronavirus and you are not eligible for the grant.