Freelancers during this crisis and the Self Employment Income Support Scheme

[Kaka Tim]

Im fucked. Ive been doing guitar lessons and workshops with young people and was about to get some work in schools. Other bit of money was coming from playing in a covers band. I was also writing a bid for a community arts project which was potentially going to pay a salary for couple of years. All gone now - like tears in the rain ....
Im not at all confident my last invoice for £500 will get paid as its for a small charity who have closed their office until further notice- and I can see a whole raft of 3rd sector organisations going to the wall.
Tomorrow im going to see if i can sign on as a delivery driver for one of the supermarkets - they are desperate apparently and will start you the next day. Bizarre - a week ago the thought of doing minimum wage stuff for wankers like tescos etc was not remotely on my radar - now it feels like it would doing something really useful and rewarding - Im fantasizing about shouting "ive got your loo roll love!" through the letter box and being showered with gratitude. Hopefully get first dibs on the pasta as well ...

 

[Petcha]

Sign up for universal credit and they'll advance it i think the same day they interview you. In my case that's 1,000 quid (as to make all this shit even better I've actually got a broken leg so I think I get a bit more)

I've not been through the interview bit yet though. I spent over an hour on hold today waiting for an adviser and then ran out of credit!

I also gather tomorrow the chancellor is announcing some other stuff for people in our boat. Best of luck tim.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

Sign up for universal credit and they'll advance it i think the same day they interview you. In my case that's 1,000 quid (as to make all this shit even better I've actually got a broken leg so I think I get a bit more)

I've not been through the interview bit yet though. I spent over an hour on hold today waiting for an adviser and then ran out of credit!

I also gather tomorrow the chancellor is announcing some other stuff for people in our boat. Best of luck tim.

Silly question maybe, but how come it's 1000 UC?

 

[Petcha]

Silly question maybe, but how come it's 1000 UC?

I dont know. Does that seem a lot? I've never done it before.

They told me the fact I can't actually technically walk makes it more. Should it be more or less?

 

[Petcha]

Im fucked. Ive been doing guitar lessons and workshops with young people and was about to get some work in schools. Other bit of money was coming from playing in a covers band. I was also writing a bid for a community arts project which was potentially going to pay a salary for couple of years. All gone now - like tears in the rain ....
Im not at all confident my last invoice for £500 will get paid as its for a small charity who have closed their office until further notice- and I can see a whole raft of 3rd sector organisations going to the wall.
Tomorrow im going to see if i can sign on as a delivery driver for one of the supermarkets - they are desperate apparently and will start you the next day. Bizarre - a week ago the thought of doing minimum wage stuff for wankers like tescos etc was not remotely on my radar - now it feels like it would doing something really useful and rewarding - Im fantasizing about shouting "ive got your loo roll love!" through the letter box and being showered with gratitude. Hopefully get first dibs on the pasta as well ...

I do like the uplifting bit at the end

 

[klang]

I'm half way in between. I'm part self employed, part employed. So far my salaried work has covered my rent, my self employed side was for extras. Self employed work has come to a sudden halt. Nothing coming in. The location of my salaried work has shut down, but technically I can be re-located to a different site. I feel that working on a different site is not safe for me due to lack of policy and emergency planning, and me having a new born at home. It's a very long story, but I feel strongly that I should not be working where they might place me.
So far I think they have forgotten about me. My line managers has asked in writing for clarification what was to happen to our team since our site has closed, but so far no answer has been given.
My line manager is now on leave for a couple of weeks, and I'm taking rest leave next week. After that we'll see. I wouldn't be surprised if I would be made redundant. I'd be fucked.
My self employed business is on hold for the time being.

 

[klang]

Im fucked. Ive been doing guitar lessons and workshops with young people and was about to get some work in schools. Other bit of money was coming from playing in a covers band. I was also writing a bid for a community arts project which was potentially going to pay a salary for couple of years. All gone now - like tears in the rain ....
Im not at all confident my last invoice for £500 will get paid as its for a small charity who have closed their office until further notice- and I can see a whole raft of 3rd sector organisations going to the wall.
Tomorrow im going to see if i can sign on as a delivery driver for one of the supermarkets - they are desperate apparently and will start you the next day. Bizarre - a week ago the thought of doing minimum wage stuff for wankers like tescos etc was not remotely on my radar - now it feels like it would doing something really useful and rewarding - Im fantasizing about shouting "ive got your loo roll love!" through the letter box and being showered with gratitude. Hopefully get first dibs on the pasta as well ...

good luck mate.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

I dont know. Does that seem a lot? I've never done it before.

They told me the fact I can't actually technically walk makes it more. Should it be more or less?

I don't honestly know. I've not claimed it, but was under the impression it was a fair bit lower.

Weve been having the hard conversations about happens. If we or one of us get sick and the like, so in a way that's good to know.

 

[Petcha]

I don't honestly know. I've not claimed it, but was under the impression it was a fair bit lower.

Weve been having the hard conversations about happens. If we or one of us get sick and the like, so in a way that's good to know.

It's based on the rents in the postcode you live in, in my case I have a room in a shared flat in south london, plus im now unemployed and also 'disabled' due to the broken leg. Without the broken leg I think it might be 700. They did all the calculations over the phone. It still won't cover what I need it to with my childcare who lives with my ex but it's better than nothing. I'll borrow the rest I have to from friends hopefully which is something I hate having to do at my age. Quite pathetic.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

It's based on the rents in the postcode you live in, in my case I have a room in a shared flat in south london, plus im now unemployed and also 'disabled' due to the broken leg. Without the broken leg I think it might be 700. They did all the calculations over the phone. It still won't cover what I need it to with my childcare who lives with my ex but it's better than nothing. I'll borrow the rest I have to from friends hopefully which is something I hate having to do at my age. Quite pathetic.

Ah! I live up North where rents are lower. We've got a mortgage anyway and don't think you qualify for any help on that one for a long time, although if the worst happens I think I can suspended payments.

For now it probably sounds daft, but I'm more worried about the financial if I get sick then my health.

 

[Kaka Tim]

...

 

[campanula]

I had a bit of (permitted) work as a gardener which just about made it possible to support me and my partner while claiming ESA. My partner cannot claim anything for various complicated reasons) so both of us had been managing on around £180 a week. I doubt I will be able to claim for those permitted hours so back to £113 a week for us both. Tiny though this is, it means we can eat, pay for gas and electric but that's pretty much it. Even so, as long as DWP don't fuck up, I will probably be hugely grateful for even the smallest amount. Can't work because under lockdown (age and pre-existing conditions) but have a council house so unlikely to be evicted if I fail to pay a months rent (I hope).

 

[nogojones]

Self employed in hospitality so I'm down for the duration.

 

[Petcha]

I had a bit of (permitted) work as a gardener which just about made it possible to support me and my partner while claiming ESA. My partner cannot claim anything for various complicated reasons) so both of us had been managing on around £180 a week. I doubt I will be able to claim for those permitted hours so back to £113 a week for us both. Tiny though this is, it means we can eat, pay for gas and electric but that's pretty much it. Even so, as long as DWP don't fuck up, I will probably be hugely grateful for even the smallest amount. Can't work because under lockdown (age and pre-existing conditions) but have a council house so unlikely to be evicted if I fail to pay a months rent (I hope).

You can't be evicted for three months, legally. As announced by the chancellor the other day.

And there's more stuff coming tomorrow, not sure what. But I think it might be along the Scandinavian model of them giving the entire population a guaranteed salary. And if you're in a council house I reckon they'll cover that, fingers crossed.

 

[Petcha]

Please call the CAB tomorrow too. You're eligible for more than you think. Write all your questions down before you call because otherwise like me you'll totally forget.

Citizens Advice

Online free advice from Citizens Advice to help you find a way forward, whatever the problem. Our research enables us to campaign on issues affecting people's lives.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk

They can be a bit a hit n miss but they'll steer you in the right direction. The way I see it - I've been paying tax for donkeys, never claimed benefits, paying these MPs salaries and expenses so it's time for a little payback.

 

[Leafster]

I'm in the same boat I think, although I'm not sure as to the answer.

We don't pay rates but the landlord will so not sure where I stand.

Chancellor is due to announce a load of new stuff tomorrow hopefully.

One of my clients has negotiated with the landlord to transfer the rates over to them in exchange for an equal reduction in rent. The landlord wouldn't have been eligible for the rates relief or grants but my client would be.

It may only work if the premises you rent are rated separately.

 

[Petcha]

Well there we go. A lot to digest from the press conference.

And as an aside, the chancellor is clearly a PM in waiting. Boris should feel embarrassed standing next to someone who actually seems to understand what the fuck is going on and can communicate it.

 

[PursuedByBears]

So what help is there for sole traders? I've seen a lot for employees but not much other than UC/ESA for a one-man band?

 

[Buddy Bradley]

Tomorrow im going to see if i can sign on as a delivery driver for one of the supermarkets - they are desperate apparently and will start you the next day.

Good for you. Was just looking at them myself (for the teenagers) - Tesco Careers site seems to have collapsed under the pressure, and Sainsburys just says to pop in to your local store and ask.

 

[cupid_stunt]

And as an aside, the chancellor is clearly a PM in waiting. Boris should feel embarrassed standing next to someone who actually seems to understand what the fuck is going on and can communicate it.

I was thinking exactly the same, as I was watching that.

 

[Petcha]

I was thinking exactly the same, as I was watching that.

6 weeks into the job too. I don't think there can have ever been a more insane probation period in economic history. I sincerely wish he was in the top job looking at that performance as opposed to the idiot next to him. I'd feel a little more reassured.

 

[Proper Tidy]

So what help is there for sole traders? I've seen a lot for employees but not much other than UC/ESA for a one-man band?

That's about it for sole traders so far, UC/ESA and something about access to loans (from banks)

 

[weltweit]

Someone I know is freelance and has had to cancel most of their income generating jobs, their income will be decimated I don't know if they are considering UC, they are quite proudly independent but perhaps they may have to.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

I'm sure that extra £1000 a year on UC will make all the difference compared to regular employed folks who get 80% of their wages.

Don't have to pay the tax bill till January apparently though...

 

[Petcha]

I'm sure that extra £1000 a year on UC will make all the difference compared to regular employed folks who get 80% of their wages.

Don't have to pay the tax bill till January apparently though...

Yeh, very good point. There are no winners here though.

 

[crossthebreeze]

I'm sure that extra £1000 a year on UC will make all the difference compared to regular employed folks who get 80% of their wages.

Don't have to pay the tax bill till January apparently though...

If you are a self-employed person that has a partner still in work, - chances are you are not entitled to any universal credit - or substantially less than the £94 "sick pay" the government announced. Same goes for anyone who has substantial savings.
Also, any self-employed people who are on legacy benefits might lose out if they claimed universal credit: disabled workers who get the disability element of working tax credits (no extra cash for disabled workers under UC), Self employed people whose partner is receiving ESA, self-employed parents who receive working and child tax credits. Anyone in this situation is going to have to put their details into a benefits calculator and think about the medium term rather than just the weeks they need sick pay.

 

[Marty1]

I get paid 5 weeks in arrears and was off work with a bad head cold (suspect may have been C-19).

My pay to see me thru the next 2 weeks is approx £220.

 

[Petcha]

I get paid 5 weeks in arrears and was off work with a bad head cold (suspect may have been C-19).

My pay to see me thru the next 2 weeks is approx £220.

Hell... are you going to be able to get by on that?

I've got a grand for the next month which includes my rent. So yeh, I've got basically the same as you I think. I'm going to spend the rest on alcohol.

 

[Marty1]

Hell... are you going to be able to get by on that?

I've got a grand for the next month which includes my rent. So yeh, I've got basically the same as you I think. I'm going to spend the rest on alcohol.

Hit the credit card - hard.

I live with my gf and they’ve closed the office down where she works but she still gets full pay, so she’s been helping out with bills etc.

 

[ska invita]

Might be a package coming this week according to the FT - no details other than "it is being looked at"