If you are not eligible for SSP – for example if you are self-employed or earning below the Lower Earnings Limit of £118 per week – and you have COVID-19 or are advised to stay at home, you can now more easily make a claim for Universal Credit or new style Employment and Support Allowance.

If you are eligible for new style Employment and Support Allowance, it will now be payable from day 1 of sickness, rather than day 8, if you have COVID-19 or are advised to stay at home.

The UK Government have now published details of the self-employment income support scheme and how it may apply to you. Click here to read.

Self-assessment tax payments on account due this year are to be deferred until January 2021.

The introduction of IR35 (which would have extended the tax liabilities of people working via their own service companies) will be delayed for 12 months.

The minimum income floor in Universal Credit will be temporarily relaxed for all self-employed people. Self-employed people will be able to access Universal Credit at a rate equivalent to Statutory Sick Pay.

The Welsh Government is setting up a fund specifically for self-employed people affected by coronavirus. We will provide the details as soon as we get them.

Additional Support:

The Welsh Government has introduced a 3-month interest payment holiday if you are on Help to Buy mortgage.

The UK Government has also announced a 3-month mortgage payment holiday. In the first instance, talk to your mortgage provider.