This is an important day for the self-employed as applications have opened today for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.
If you haven’t applied, we have included information in this update.
Following the publication yesterday of the NI Executive’s roadmap to reopening, we have also included workplace safety guidance and priority sectors list.
We are still awaiting information on the Hardship Fund announced last week and we will update businesses when we receive it.
Applications for this fund are expected to open this week.
Businesses should also be mindful that Wed 20th May 2020 is the DEADLINE for registering for the £10,000 and £25,000 grant schemes.
I hope you find these updates of value. If you have any queries which you can’t get answered, let us know. If I can, I will cover them in our next update.
You can contact me at:
colm@newrychamber.com
Stay safe.
Colm Shannon,
Chief Executive Officer
Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade
WORKPLACE SAFETY GUIDANCE AND PRIORITY SECTOR LIST
The Department for the Economy has published guidance on making workplaces safer and a list of priority sectors during the current coronavirus crisis.
WORKPLACE SAFETY GUIDE
The guide sets out principles and practical steps for employers and employees to keep themselves and their workplaces safe. It also highlights the steps to be followed if employers and employees are concerned about safety.
DOWNLOAD THE WORKPLACE SAFETY GUIDE HERE.
PRIORITY SECTORS LIST
The workplace safety guidance is accompanied by a list of priority business sectors.
The sectors list aims to clarify what constitutes a priority sector at this time and to support companies to continue their business operations if they can work within social distancing guidelines.
The list was drawn up by the Engagement Forum on COVID-19 with representatives from Business Organisations, Health and Safety Executive NI, Public Health Agency, Trade Unions, Local Councils, Government and Food Standards Agency.
The priority sectors list is advisory and serves to allow companies in Northern Ireland to make their own decisions and the guidance aims to have practical application in the workplace.
DOWNLOAD THE PRIORITY SECTORS LIST HERE.
CLAIM A GRANT THROUGH THE
SELF-EMPLOYMENT INCOME SUPPORT SCHEME
Applications for the Self Employment Income Support Scheme open today.
If you’re self-employed or a member of a partnership and have been adversely affected by coronavirus, you can use the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, if you’re eligible to claim a grant.
BEFORE YOU START
You should check if you are eligible to claim a grant through this scheme and find out when you’ll be able to make a claim HERE.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Self-Assessment Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR)
If you don’t have this, you find out how to get your lost UTR HERE.
National Insurance Number
If you don’t have this, find out how to get your lost National Insurance Number HERE.
Government Gateway User ID and Password
If you don’t have a User ID, you can create one when you make your claim.
UK Bank Details
Only provide bank account details where Bacs payment can be accepted including:
- Bank Account Number
- Sort Code
- Name On The Account
- Your Address Linked To Your Bank Account
HOW TO CLAIM
Your tax agent or adviser cannot make the claim for you, you must claim yourself.
If you don’t have an agent, you should contact them if you need help or support.
You’ll have to confirm to HMRC that your business has been adversely affected by COVID-19, you should not claim a grant if you’re a limited company or operating a trade through a trust.
HMRC will check claims and take appropriate action to withhold or recover payments found to be dishonest or inaccurate.
If you’re unable to claim online, you should contact HMRC HERE.
CLAIM THE SELF-EMPLOYMENT INCOME SUPPORT SCHEME HERE.
HMRC WEBINARS:
SELF-EMPLOYMENT INCOME SUPPORT SCHEME
The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme will allow you to claim a taxable grant worth 80 per cent of your trading profits up to a maximum of £2,500 a month.
It is available from today, Wed 13th May 2020 for three months but may be extended.
These FREE webinars gives an overview of the scheme, including:
- Who Can Apply & How
- The Amount You Can Claim
- Other Support Available
These FREE webinars is offered several times for your convenience.
CHOOSE A DATE AND A TIME HERE.
NEW GUIDANCE FOR FOOD BUSINESSES
LOOKING TO OPERATE DURING COVID-19
The Food Standard Agency has published new guidance for food businesses looking to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The guidance offers practical information and advice to help employers, employees and the self-employed understand how to work safely in the food sector, specifically:
- Farming and Agriculture
- Restaurants and Takeaways
- Food Manufacturers
The guidance covers social distancing, cleaning and staff training. It outlines the hygiene processes and requirements food businesses must follow as they develop new ways of working.
This gives you a practical framework to identify what you need to do to continue, adapt or restart operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Food Standard Agency advises that it remains very unlikely that people can catch COVID-19 from food. COVID-19 is a respiratory illness and not known to be transmitted by exposure to food or food packaging.
The new guidance should be read in conjunction with:
VIEW THE NEW GUIDANCE FOR FOOD BUSINESSES HERE.
SRC InnovateUS PROGRAMME
The InnovateUS Programme provides up to 60 hours worth of mentoring for an innovation activity lending to the development of a new product, process or service particularly in response to COVID-19.
If you have less than 50 employees and have an innovative project idea, the SRC can help you.
TO REGISTER FOR A CALL BACK CLICK HERE.
DEADLINE APPROACHING ON GRANT SCHEMES
Businesses should be mindful that Wednesday 20th May 2020 is the DEADLINE for registering for the £10,000 and £25,000 grant schemes.
Eligible businesses that want to register for one of the following grant schemes should note that the deadline for registration is Wednesday 20th May 2020.