The Chancellor Rishi Sunak has increased the third SEISS (Self Employed Income Support Scheme) to 80%.
Previously the Chancellor had announced that the third support payment for the Self Employed, would be capped at 20% of their average net profit over the last three years. However due to mounting pressure after The Prime Minister announced that local areas could now face 3 different lockdown measures, Mr Sunak changed his stance and increased the payment to 80%.
As noted on the HMRC website, “The UK Government recognises the continued impact that coronavirus (COVID-19) has had on the self-employed and has taken action to provide support.
The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme Grant Extension provides critical support to the self-employed in the form of two grants, each available for three month periods covering November 2020 to January 2021 and February 2021 to April 2021.”
Starting from 1st November, those who are eligible will be able to claim the third income support payment, and then again in January, a 4th claim will also be available. Its unclear at the moment how much the 4th payment will be.
Who Can Claim.
HMRC sets out the eligibility criteria as follows:
To be eligible for the Grant Extension self-employed individuals, including members of partnerships, must:
- have been previously eligible for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme first and second grant (although they do not have to have claimed the previous grants)
- declare that they intend to continue to trade and either:
- are currently actively trading but are impacted by reduced demand due to coronavirus
- were previously trading but are temporarily unable to do so due to coronavirus
What the Grant Covers
The extension will last for six months, from November 2020 to April 2021. Grants will be paid in two lump sum instalments each covering a three-month period.
The first grant will cover a three-month period from 1 November 2020 until 31 January 2021. The Government will provide a taxable grant covering 80% of average monthly trading profits, paid out in a single instalment covering 3 months’ worth of profits, and capped at £7,500 in total.
The Government are providing broadly the same level of support for the self-employed as is being provided for employees through the Job Support scheme.
The second grant will cover a three-month period from 1 February 2021 until 30 April 2021. The Government will review the level of the second grant and set this in due course.
The grants are taxable income and also subject to National Insurance contributions.
How to Claim
The details regarding how to claim have not yet been published, but we believe it will be pretty similar to the first two grants.