Coronavirus Money Help – What am I entitled to?
30/03/2020
The latest shutdowns called for by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in light of the current COVID-19 novel coronavirus outbreak mean a difficult time for many employees, business owners, and freelancers across Scotland. If you’re struggling to get by because of the restrictions, the government has announced a package of COVID-19 money help to cover almost all workers in the UK. In terms of coronavirus money help, UK ministers have put together a relatively generous package designed to provide aid to all sectors of the workforce; let’s take a look at what help is available.
Help for employees
If you’re a salaried worker, the government’s coronavirus Job Retention Scheme may apply to you. This is when your employer agrees to keep you on the payroll in ‘furlough’ even while you can’t work. To make it more possible for employers to do this, the government is offering to pay up to 80% of worker salaries to a cap of £2500 per month during coronavirus-related furloughs; employers are, of course, allowed to top these amounts up if they wish to. If you’re unsure whether this aid applies to you, speak to your employer.
Help if you’re self-employed
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has very recently announced a similar package for self-employed workers, which will provide grants of up to 80% of the average total income that people who make their primary income through self-employment have made over the past three years. To qualify, you will have to be registered as self-employed already and have sent off at least one self-employed tax return, and this grant is capped at £2500 per month, too.
Other help
If you don’t fit into either of the categories above or you’re still struggling, there is more help available. Statutory Sick Pay has been increased and extended to cover more workers, including self-employed workers, in the event of illness due to suspected coronavirus. Mortgage interest rates have been reduced, and if you can’t pay your mortgage you should be able to claim a three-month mortgage payment holiday. Landlords must also now give tenants in certain tenancy types, including assured tenancy and flexible tenancy, a three-month notice period before eviction. If you are a small business owner, there are also loans available to help your business survive the outbreak.
While not everyone is covered by the package, the help on offer is incredibly valuable to those who are. If you’re not sure whether you qualify for aid, please do seek assistance to ensure you don’t miss out. For more advice about claiming coronavirus money from government schemes in Scotland, get in touch with us here at Scottish Debt Help – we’re here to help you.
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