Newly Self Employed - Scotland Help!

Scotgirl86

Hi....looking for some financial help
Due to being let go by employer last year and not many employers taking on I made the decision in August 2020 to go self employed. I am a trades person based in Scotland. As of new restrictions in Scotland I have been unable to work since the beginning of the year and cannot claim any SEISS since not yet submitting any tax returns yet. Any money I had made has now been used to cover bills etc for the last 6 weeks and savings were used when setting up my company. Any newly self employed grants I have seen are on the basis of the company trading before March 2020. After working for the last 20 years I have found myself now claiming JSA, Is there any other financial help out there?

poppy12345

Scotgirl86 said:

 Is there any other financial help out there?

Universal Credit but it will depend on your circumstances because it's a means tested benefit. If you live with a partner that works you need to claim as a couple. If you have savings/capital of more than £16,000 you're excluded from claiming. A claim for UC will end any tax credits you may already be claiming.

Your New style JSA will also be deducted in full from any UC entitlement. Use a benefits calculator to check entitlement.

https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=4329a8a3-34c0-44bd-81ff-99000d214474

Jeremy535897

There is a Scottish hardship fund, but you had to have started trading before 17 March 2020 to qualify. However, it appears from your post that you are not actually self employed, but are employed by your own company, so the only thing you could qualify for would be the job retention scheme, and to do that, you would have had to be on your company's payroll (and paid yourself) by 30 October 2020.

Scotgirl86

Jeremy535897 said: However, it appears from your post that you are not actually self employed, but are employed by your own company

Sorry not sure what I wrote that suggests that but I am self employed. Yes the hardship fund I came across yesterday but I do not qualify due to not trading as self employed prior to March 17th 2020. 

Jeremy535897

Any money I had made has now been used to cover bills etc for the last 6 weeks and savings were used when setting up my company. Any newly self employed grants I have seen are on the basis of the company trading before March 2020.

Grumpy_chap

Is the NEA allowance available in Scotland?
Ask your Work Coach.

sheramber

Scotgirl86 said:

Jeremy535897 said: However, it appears from your post that you are not actually self employed, but are employed by your own company

Sorry not sure what I wrote that suggests that but I am self employed. Yes the hardship fund I came across yesterday but I do not qualify due to not trading as self employed prior to March 17th 2020. 

You refer to your business as a company.
I have seen are on the basis of the company trading before March 2020.

macman

To clarify, are you a sole trader, or have you set up a limited company? As Jeremy correctly points out, an employee of their own limited company is not self-employed.

Grumpy_chap

macman said:

To clarify, are you a sole trader, or have you set up a limited company? As Jeremy correctly points out, an employee of their own limited company is not self-employed.

Except for assessing UC.

justwhat

ok i am going to be brutal. When you go self employed you take a risk and a responsibility for your own success or failure. You have started a new business fully aware of all the risks for the current climate (or you should have been aware)
These grants are intended for  proven viable businesses. 
on a lighter note.... Scottish Enterprise   may be able to help https://www.scottish-enterprise.com

Nebulous2

What trade? Is there any essential work you could pick up?

 Our plumber is busier than ever, with burst pipes and broken central heating, due to the frozen conditions and cold weather.