Newly Self Employed Hardship Fund

May 1st 2020

Eligibility Criteria for the Newly Self Employed Hardship Fund:

• You became self-employed on or after 6 April 2019
• Over 50% of your individual income is from self-employment
• Your trading profits were below £50,000 in the 19/20 tax year
• You have lost business due to COVID and are suffering financial hardship as a result
• You are ineligible for other support on offer
• You do not receive benefits (Universal Credit, Statutory Sick Pay, Employment and Support Allowance, Job Seekers Allowance, Income Support) or have applied for but not yet started receiving Universal Credit
• You are self-employed (not trading as a partnership or limited company)
• You have taken steps to limit your costs
• You do not have sufficient savings or other sources of income to meet basic needs

Applicants must provide:
• Documentation to show that you had an active business pre-COVID
• Self-declaration that you are currently experiencing hardship
• Evidence of being resident in the local authority area of application

Processing
The time from application to funds being paid is 10 days.

Apply for the Newly Self Employed Hardship Fund

go back to 3 New Covid-related Funding Schemes from the Scottish Government article