SEISS second stage opens for applications

Self-employed people whose livelihoods have been affected by coronavirus will be able to claim a second payment of up to £6,570 from today, as the second stage of the Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) opens for applications.

More than 2.7 million people have benefitted from the scheme so far, receiving £7.8 billion in total.

Those eligible will now be able to receive a second and final grant worth 70% of their average monthly trading profits, with the money set to land in their bank accounts within six working days of making a claim.

Nearly a fifth of self-employed workers have no savings at all

Anyone whose self-employed business has been adversely affected by coronavirus since 14 July is eligible for the scheme.

HMRC will contact all potentially eligible customers to advise them that they can claim for a second and final SEISS grant.

The eligibility criteria remains the same as for the first grant, with people needing to have had trading profits of no more than £50,000, making up at least half of their total income.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak (pictured), said: “Our self employment income support scheme has already helped millions of hard working people, whose get up and go drive is crucial to our economy.

“It means that people’s livelihoods across the country will remain protected as we continue our economic recovery – helping them get back on their feet as we return to normal.”

The Chancellor has also set out the government’s Plan for Jobs, which aims to support, protect and create jobs, including in the construction and housing sectors, through funding to decarbonise public sector buildings and our Green Homes Grant.