On the 26th of March the government announced the Self Employment Income Support Scheme.
Whilst this is a welcome move, there are still many people who fall through the cracks and will not receive adequate income support from the government. Additionally, the grant will not be issued until at least June, which could reach those most vulnerable too late.
Those who are eligible for the Self Employed Income Support Scheme will be contacted by HMRC.
If you’re still confused about what you’re entitled to, you can use the below flowchart to find out.
If you’re ineligible to receive government support or have no savings to fall back on until you receive your grant from the Self Employment Income Support Scheme, here are some things you can do:
Apply for Universal Credit if you haven’t already.
You can request to be fast-tracked if you can’t wait 5 weeks for first payment.Apply for a 3-month mortgage ‘holiday’ or use my letter template to write to your landlord and negotiate rent reductions.
Don’t be afraid to ask for a complete rent break if you need it.Many credit card and loan providers are offering 3-month repayment breaks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Visit your provider’s website for more details.Apply for a council tax reduction or speak to your local council about support.
Different levels of support are being offered on a council-by-council basis.If you have a fixed-rate savings account, many banks are offering to waive the usual penalties who need to take out savings during this time.
Visit your bank’s website for more details.Some energy and water suppliers are offing help to those who are struggling to pay bills.
Help depends on individual circumstances – contact your provider if this is something you need.Research and apply for industry-specific private and non-profit grants.
For example Arts Council England has announced a £160m emergency fund to support individual freelance artists.
Rory Peck Trust has also announced a COVID-19 Hardship Fund for struggling freelance journalists.
New grants are announced frequently so keep up to date with your industry specific papers and unions.If you feel you have fallen through the cracks, email your local MP.
Explain how you have been financially affected by the pandemic and ask them to raise a question in parliament about introducing measures to support people like yourself.
||||| Previous Updates: 17th March 2020 |||||
When I think about my current situation pending lockdown - working as a freelancer with no stable source of income or savings to fall back on (sorry Grandad) - I can't help but think how good my situation is compared to that of so many others.
I'm so lucky to have youth and health on my side, with no children or other dependants to care for. The threat of complete loss of income is terrifying, yet I only have myself (and a small fluffy dog) to care for. I'm so lucky to have a roof over my head (even if I am scared that I won't be able to afford my rent in a few months time) and even if I didn't, I know I will have options.
I'm not an expert, but I'm trying to navigate this the best I can and wanted to share my (amateur) advice with other freelancers.
We may be trapped in our houses, but it is more important than ever to be politically active. This pandemic has truly highlighted just how far we are from social justice in the UK.
Universal Basic Income should be awarded to everyone - regardless of their prior working situation - during, and following, the COVID-19 outbreak. With financial security, the healthy among us would be able to dedicate our time to looking after those in our communities who need it the most, running errands for the elderly, sick and disabled who are unable to leave their homes. This doesn’t only apply in times times of crisis. Universal Basic Income could offer a future free from poverty and financial instability, strengthening communities and allowing talent to flourish.
A Universal Basic Income may seem unrealistic given our current political climate, but these are not normal times. During this crisis, I'll be employing all methods to campaign (in isolation) for financial security for all in the UK including migrants, the unemployed and the homeless.
If you’re a UK-based freelancer or zero-hour contract worker living in the UK, here’s what you can do now:
Apply for Universal Credit (please note, if you have savings above £16,000 you may not be eligible and savings above £6,000 may effect how much you can claim.)
Apply for council tax reductions.
Call the Coronavirus Small Business Helpline: 0300 456 3565
Check if you’re eligible for Small Business Rate Relief.
Sign a petition for a coronavirus basic income.
Use my letter template to write to your local MP.
Use my letter template to write to the Chancellor.
Sign up to my Freelance Support newsletter for updates regarding financial support, mental wellbeing tips and freelancer profiles and takeovers. The aim of the newsletter is to build a community and support network in a time of isolation.
If you’d be interested in newsletter collaborations or have any tips that you would like me to include, please get in touch.