Self-employed to benefit from second stage of support scheme

The SEISS claims service is now open for second and final grant applications

Millions of self-employed people whose livelihoods have been affected by coronavirus will be able to claim a second payment of up to £6,570 as of Monday (17 August).

Those eligible for the Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) will be able to apply for a second and final grant worth 70% of their average monthly trading profits, with the money set to land in their bank accounts within six working days of making a claim.

HMRC will contact all potentially eligible customers to advise them that they can claim for a second and final SEISS grant.

Anyone whose self-employed business has been adversely affected by coronavirus since 14 July is eligible for the scheme, which has paid out £6.4m in first grants to 2.2m self-employed people in England.

The eligibility criteria remains the same as for the first grant, with people needing to have had trading profits of no more than £50,000, making up at least half of their total income.

In addition claimants must confirm that their business has been adversely affected by coronavirus which means that a business has experienced lower income and/or higher costs because of coronavirus at any time since 14 July.

Eligible customers will be informed that they will be able to make their claim for the second and final grant at any time from a specified date, until the scheme closes on 19 October 2020.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak said: “Our self-employment income support scheme has already helped millions of hard working people, whose get up and go drive is crucial to our economy.

“It means that people’s livelihoods across the country will remain protected as we continue our economic recovery - helping them get back on their feet as we return to normal.”