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Financial Support - INFORMATION FOR INDIVIDUALS - UK Government advice
richardscamans • Mar 19, 2020
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Financial Support - INFORMATION FOR INDIVIDUALS - UK Government advice 18 th March 2020
Statutory Sick Pay:
If you think you are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), please read the following information: You
can get £94.25 per week Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if you’re too ill to work. It’s paid by your employer
for up to 28 weeks.
If you are self-isolating because of COVID-19: From 13 March, you can now claim SSP. This includes
individuals who are caring for people self-isolating in the same household and therefore have been
advised to do a household quarantine. To check your sick pay entitlement, you should talk to your
employer, and visit https://www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay for more information.
• When does SSP apply? The government is legislating for SSP to be paid from day 1, rather than day
4, of your absence from workif you are absent from work due to sickness or need to self-isolate
caused by COVID-19. Once the legislation has been passed, this will apply retrospectively from 13
March. You should talk to your employer if you are eligible for SSP and need to claim.
• Do I need a sick note? From Friday 20 March onwards, those who have COVID-19 or are advised to
self-isolate will be able to obtain an “isolation note” by visiting NHS 111 online and completing an
online form, rather than visiting a doctor. For COVID-19 cases this replaces the usual need to provide
a “fit note” after seven days of sickness absence. Isolation notes will also be accepted by Jobcentre
Plus as evidence of your inability to attend.
Self Employed/Not eligible for SSP?
• What if I am self-employed or not eligible for SSP? If you are not eligible for SSP – for example if
you are self-employed or earning below the Lower Earnings Limit of £118 per week – and you have
COVID-19 or are advised to self-isolate, you can now more easily make a claim for Universal Credit
(UC) or new style Employment and Support Allowance. For more information on how to claim,
Self Employed on Universal Credit/Self Employed and need to claim?
• What if I am self-employed and receiving Universal Credit? If you are self-employed and receiving
Universal Credit and you have COVID-19 or are advised to self-isolate, the requirements of the
Minimum Income Floor will be temporarily relaxed. This change took effect on 13 March and will last
for the duration of the outbreak, to ensure that selfemployed UC claimants will receive support.
If you need to claim Universal Credit but have COVID-19 or are self-isolating, you will now be able to
claim and to access advance payments upfront without needing to attend a Jobcentre Plus. Please
visit https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit
for more information.
If you are eligible for new style Employment and Support Allowance, it will now be payable from day
1 of sickness, rather than day 8, if you have COVID-19 or are advised to self-isolate.
Householder Mortgage repayments and landlords
If you are experiencing financial difficulties meeting your mortgage repayments because of COVID-
19, you may be entitled to a mortgage or rental holiday for 3 months. This includes if you are a
landlord whose tenants are experiencing financial difficulties because of COVID-19. If you are a
tenant experiencing financial difficulties because of COVID-19, the government will ensure you do
not face the threat of eviction for at least 3 months:
• The government has agreed with mortgage lenders that they will offer repayment holidays of 3
months to households in financial difficulty due to COVID-19.
• This will also apply to landlords whose tenants are experiencing financial difficulties because of
COVID-19.
• The offer of a payment holiday can be made available to customers who are up to date with
payments and not already in arrears.
• Customers who are concerned about their current financial situation should contact their lender
at the earliest possible opportunity to discuss if this is a suitable option for them.
• Emergency legislation will be taken forward so that landlords will not be able to start proceedings
to evict tenants for at least a 3 month period. This applies to private and social renters.
• At the end of this period, landlords and tenants will be expected to work together to establish an
affordable repayment plan, taking into account tenants’ individual circumstances.
Personal Loans and Credit Cards. Difficulties?
If you are experiencing difficulties paying back personal loans or credit card bills as a result of COVID-
19, you should read the following information:
• The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) called on lenders to use flexibility built into their rules to
support consumers, taking into account customers’ individual circumstances. Many major lenders
have already made statements to this effect.
• If you are experiencing difficulties paying back loans or credit card bills because of COVID19, you
should talk to your lender.
• If you agree a payment holiday with your lender, they should record these in such a way that will
not impact on your credit score.
Self Employed or Business Owner? Worried about Tax?
If you are self-employed or own a business and you are concerned about not being able to pay your
tax bills because of COVID-19, you may be eligible for support through Her Majesty’s Revenue and
Customs’ (HMRC) Time to Pay service:
• If you think you or your business is eligible for support through Time to Pay, you can call the
following helpline number to get practical help and advice: 0800 0159 559.
• These arrangements are agreed on a case-by-case basis and are tailored to individual
circumstances and liabilities.
• For more information, please check the HMRC site here:
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