A summary of the scheme

The scheme will allow you to claim a taxable grant of 80% of your average monthly trading profits, paid out in a single instalment covering 3 months, and capped at £7,500 altogether. This is a temporary scheme, but it may be extended.

If you receive the grant you can continue to work, start a new trade or take on other employment including voluntary work, or duties as an armed forces reservist.

The grant will be subject to Income Tax and self-employed National Insurance.

There is other support available if you’re not eligible for the grant.

HMRC will work out if you’re eligible and how much grant you may get.

Who can claim

You can claim if you’re a self-employed individual or a member of a partnership and:

• you carry on a trade which has been adversely affected by coronavirus*
• you traded in the tax year 2018 to 2019 and submitted your Self Assessment tax return on or before 23 April 2020 for that year
• you traded in the tax year 2019 to 2020
• you intend to continue to trade in the tax year 2020 to 2021

You should not claim the grant if you’re above the state aid limits or operating a trade through a trust.

*Your business could be adversely affected by coronavirus, for example if:

• you’re unable to work because you:
  • are shielding
  • are self-isolating
  • are on sick leave because of coronavirus
  • have caring responsibilities because of coronavirus
• you’ve had to scale down or temporarily stop trading because:
  • your supply chain has been interrupted
  • you have fewer or no customers or clients
  • your staff are unable to come in to work

Check if you’re eligible to claim

You can use HMRCs online tool to find out if you’re eligible to make a claim.

You’ll need your:

• Self Assessment Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) number – if you do not have this find out how to get your lost UTR number
• National Insurance number – if you do not have this find out how to get your lost National Insurance number

If you are eligible to make a claim

After you have used HMRC online tool, above and you are eligible follow the instructs to get ready, as you need to add your contact details (Email & Telephone Number). HMRC will use these to tell you when to claim and what you need to do beforehand.

You need to use Government Gateway to sign in and add your contact details.

If you do not have an existing Government Gateway user ID and password you should create them now.

When can I make a claim

If you are eligible and have a Government Gateway user ID and password, you will be able to claim from 8.00am on 15 May 2020.