As Self-Employment Income Support Scheme opens for applications, LITRG expresses concern that those who have not been contacted by HMRC may miss out on support

LITRG also warns that scheme's online checker only checks some of the eligibility conditions and may give incorrect results

As HMRC's coronavirus (COVID-19) Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) opens for applications today, the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) has expressed concern that those who have not been contacted by HMRC may miss out on claiming the grant.

Highlighting that HMRC has been contacting potential applicants using information from 2016/2017, 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 tax returns, Head of LITRG Victoria Todd said -

'There may be self-employed people who have not received any information from HMRC about the SEISS grant who are eligible and should be making a claim towards the end of this week. This includes people who are self-isolating at a different address to where they usually reside or perhaps have changed address or mobile number but have not updated their contact details with HMRC.

We are concerned that self-employed people whose businesses have been affected by the coronavirus may miss out on claiming this grant because they were not aware that it was available. It would be very unfortunate if business owners who have seen a fall in trade because of the lockdown or COVID-19-related health reasons do not get the financial help they are entitled to.'

Ms Todd also warns that HMRC's online checker for the scheme only checks some of the eligibility conditions, leading to incorrect results in some cases, and advises that -

'If you are self-employed and think you may be eligible for a SEISS grant, we recommend that you read the government’s guidance which sets out the full conditions and that you use the online checker to see if and when you can apply for the scheme.

We are aware that some people who think they are eligible are using the checker and receiving a ‘not eligible’ response. We suggest that you wait a couple of days and then try again. If it still shows you are not eligible then you can ask HMRC to review your eligibility.'

For more information, see Concern that some self-employed risk missing out on COVID-19 cash from litrg.org.uk