Just two out of three eligible workers have claimed income support under the Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS), new figures have revealed.
The official Government numbers reveal that up to 1.2 million workers may be going without income support, even though they are eligible to receive it.
Commenting on the figures, experts suggest that while some people may be making the ethical decision not to claim income support because they are financially comfortable, others may not be claiming because they think they are not entitled to support, when they actually are.
For example, self-employed workers may not be claiming under the SEISS because their business “has not been impacted by Covid-19”. However, the criteria for this is broad, and may include one of the following:

• You or your staff have been unable to work because of illness or shielding
• You cannot access the workplace due to social distancing measures
• Demand for your work or your income has been reduced because of Covid-19.

The figures come shortly after the Government revealed it would offer self-employed workers a second and final grant in August. The extended scheme will pay out 70 per cent of monthly trading profits over three months as a lump sum, up to a maximum of £6,570.
If you have yet to apply for income support for the first grant, you have until 13 July 2020 to do so. For support making your application, please get in touch with our expert team today.