Surprise Extension of the SEISS
Published: 02/06/2020
Freelancers and self-employed workers who had urged the Chancellor to extend the SEISS in line with furlough scheme were handed a lifeline with news of a final grant.
Starting in August
The self-employed scheme will open for applications in August, but with the grant reduced to 70% of their average monthly trading profits. As with the SEISS scheme, the money will be paid in a single instalment covering three months’ average monthly profits up to £6,570, down from the £7,500 cap of the first grant.
The government has not changed the eligibility criteria for the second grant. As with the first version, individuals will have to confirm that they’ve been adversely affected by Covid-19. However, a self-employed worker does not have to have claimed the first SEISS grant in order to be eligible for this final handout.
The self-employed income support scheme has so far supported 2.3m people with claims worth £6.8bn. The first grant is still open for applications but self-employed workers have until 13 July to apply.
If you think that you may be eligible and have any queries, please contact us.