Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS)

The Chancellor of the Exchequer recently announced Covid-19 support for the self-employed in the form of the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).

HMRC have now started contacting self-employed customers who they think could be eligible for the Scheme. This is based on the information provided in 2018 to 2019 tax returns. You can use this online checker which will confirm whether you are eligible and give you a specific date from which can make a claim if you are. You can still use the online checker if you’ve not been contacted by HMRC.

How to use the checker

To use the online checker you will need your:

Unique Taxpayer Reference Number (UTR) and
National Insurance Number.

Your UTR is usually displayed on any coresspondance you receive from HMRC.

If you are eligible you will be given a date, between 13 and 18 May, from which you can apply. This date is assigned randomly and not on a first come first served basis. This is to help HMRC manage demand on the service, making sure that everyone who needs to make a claim can do so.

You’ll also be asked to:

provide your Government Gateway credentials (user ID and password) and
check that your bank and contact details are up to date.

If you don’t have Government Gateway credentials you can set them up by following the guidance and using the SEISS eligibility checker.

Please use the SEISS eligibility checker and get your Government Gateway credentials now if you don’t already have them. This will make applying for the grant quicker and easier when it’s time to apply.

The application process

The application process goes live on 13 May and will show how HMRC has calculated the grant you are due to receive. You can watch this animation which shows how to use the checker.

Scams

Please be aware that there has been an increase in scam emails, calls and texts claiming to be from HMRC or the Government. If you are eligible you will be invited to claim through GOV.UK and this is the only service you can use. If someone gets in touch with you claiming to be from HMRC, saying that financial help can be claimed or that a tax refund is owed, and asks you to click on a link or to give information such as your name, credit card or bank details, you should not respond.

Suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC should be reported by sending them to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk. Texts should be sent to 60599.

Help and support

I can’t make a Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) claim as an HMRC agent for Self Assessment tax on your behalf but I am here to offer help and support you if you need it.