Self-employment (Income Affected) - Joint Mortgage Dilemma

Arefer

Hello everyone,

My self-employment income has been affected this tax year (April 2020 onwards) due to covid-19, and I've only received the SEISS grant as income till now. I'm hoping my industry will pick up later this year, and I can start earning as normal then. I'm looking to apply for a mortgage jointly with my partner, who is in full time employment and the mortgage is comfortably affordable on her employment income alone.

What should I put my status as on the joint application, considering I cannot evidence any income this tax year (except the SEISS), but will be contributing half of the deposit? In the circumstances, is it possible to add myself as a 'non-working' applicant on the mortgage, so that the application is judged solely on my partner's employment income? I'm hoping this might also speed up the application process by bypassing all the self employment delays currently being experienced. Would the lender (most likely Halifax) accept my deposit contribution in this case?

Any advice on this matter would be really appreciated.

Thank you.