Self Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) – Update 4th May 2020

HMRC have now issued guidance on how this scheme will work and the steps you need to take now to ensure you are ready to make your claim and receive the grant without delay.

Please note that HMRC have specifically EXCLUDED accountants and agents from being able to make the claim on your behalf. This may change in the future, but I am unable to do it on your behalf at this time.

So, you will need to make the claim yourself, but I will of course help you with what is required should you need anything from me.

Essentially you now need to:

1.       Check your eligibility using the HMRC eligibility checker on their guidance website (link below). You will need your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) and National Insurance number to do this.

2.       Once you have confirmed you are eligible you will need to set up a government gateway if you do not already have one. You will need this gateway to make your application so please ensure you follow this requirement. It is currently taking around 10 days to set up such an account with HMRC.

The online claim system will not be available until 13th May and if eligible you will be told when you can make your claim.

When you go online via your government gateway to make your claim you will be asked to provide your UTR, NI Number, bank account details and confirm that you / your business has been adversely affected by Coronavirus.

Once HMRC have checked your claim you will receive the grant within 6 working days directly to your nominated bank account.

The full HMRC guidance can be found HERE and you need to access this page to check your eligibility and set up the government gateway access if you do not already have that in place.