Please note: These pages were developed to help people navigate the arrangements in place during the Covid pandemic.
Our new Money Help Hub includes practical guides for cutting costs, getting support and keeping track of your spending. If money problems are affecting your mental health or family relationships, we’ve also got tips for looking after your wellbeing and having conversations about money.
I’m Self Employed: What Support Is Available?
This page covers some information and support resources available to self-employed individuals. This includes:
Recovery Loan Scheme
Self-Employment and Sick Pay
Local Authority Discretionary Grant Fund
Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grants (some ending in March 2022)
Universal Credit
Considering Self-Employment?
Recovery Loan Scheme – extended to 30 June 2022
Unlike the Self Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS), which was a grant, the Recovery Loan Scheme is a fully fledged loan, and therefore carries the burden of repayment.
If you feel this is right for you and that you are in a position to accept this responsibility, it can offer support for small and medium sized businesses. It aims to help with recovery after the financial disruption caused by the pandemic.
If you have claimed other pandemic support, such as SEISS, you can still access this finance.
The loan provides up to £2 million per business, however the total amount offered is at the discretion of the lender. The loan is backed up to 70% by the Government.
Loans are available through accredited lenders
Eligibility
You must be a business that trades in the UK
You have a minimum of 1 years trading history (this varies per lender)
You have an annual turnover of up to £45million
You can show you have been negatively affected by the pandemic
Your business is not going through insolvency
What you can get
Loans or overdrafts between £25 000 and £2 million – for up to 3 years
Invoice or asset finance between £1000 and £2 million – for up to 6 years
Self Employment and Sick Pay
If you’re self-employed you cannot claim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
SSP is paid by an employer when an employee is unable to work due to sickness. As a self-employed person who does not have an employer, you will not qualify.
If you’ve paid enough National Insurance contributions, you might be able to claim new style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you’re ill.
Check your eligibility for ESA here
Try the Turn2us benefit calculator
Local Authority Discretionary Grant Fund
The Discretionary Grant Fund supports small and micro businesses that are generally not eligible for other grant schemes.
There are still some funding grants available through this scheme although most have now closed.
Contact your local council for information.
Government information on Discretionary Grant Fund – August 2020
Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grants (some end Mar 2022)
Offered by local councils to support hospitality, leisure and accommodation businesses that have been affected by the latest COVID-19 variant
Eligibility
You must have been trading on 30 Dec 2021
You offer in person services
Where your main service takes place in fixed rate-paying premises
In hospitality and leisure industry
More info from Gov.uk
Universal Credit
Universal credit can help support you if you are out of work or needing additional support.
Universal Credit is replacing the following benefits:
Child Tax Credit
Income Support
Housing Benefit
Working Tax Credit
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income related Employment and Support Allowance.
Each Universal Credit application is unique. Some of the reasons you might claim are:
You’re struggling to pay the bills
You’ve lost your job and have no income
Your income has dropped but you’re still working
You have a disability or illness that stops you working
You have expensive childcare costs
You’re caring for someone
You must be over 18 and under state pension age.
You must live in the UK.
Your household must have less than £16,000 in savings (combined savings if living with a partner)
If you want support applying for Universal Credit, Citizens advice has a phone and online service.
Check if you can get universal credit
You can check out what you may be entitled to using: Turn2Us Benefit Calculator
Universal credit and the minimum income floor
This was suspended during the pandemic but is now back in action – check turn2us for a good rundown but here are the key points
The minimum income floor is the equivalent of someone working full time (35 hours per week unless you have other responsibilities) on the National Minimum Wage for your age group.
Example: National Minimum wage for ages 23+
April 2021 = £8.91
April 2022 = £9.50
(NMW x 35 hours a week x 52 weeks in a year)/12 months in a year = £££ per month
2021/22 = £1351.35 per month
2022/23 = £1440.83 per month
The amount of UC you are entitled to will be based on how much you earn and your minimum income floor. If you earn over the minimum income floor – your earnings are taken into account. If you earn under, they are not.
If you start a business whilst claiming UC you will be allowed a 12 month start up period where the minimum income floor does not apply to you. Your UC will be based on your earnings even if they are lower than your minimum income floor.
Thinking about being self employed
Perhaps you are considering becoming self employed or are starting up your own business.
If this sounds like you, be sure to review this Gov Page for business advice.
Some basic things to think about:
Do you need any specific courses and training – would a qualification benefit you?
Do you need a business licence? Trades such as selling food or playing music require one!
What specialist equipment do you need? – can you afford it?
Who is your audience? – this will affect how you market your business.
Think about your legal structure – limited company/partnership etc…
Some more things to think about here