APPROXIMATELY 2,400 self-employed people in Pembrokeshire whose business has lost income due to coronavirus have not yet claimed a government grant worth 80% of their trading profits – and they have less than two weeks to submit their application.
The grant is available via the HMRC Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak on 26 March.
Although the scheme has recently been extended, the claim for the first grant must be made on or before July 13.
All those who are eligible in Pembrokeshire are urged to apply for the grant before the deadline if they haven’t done so already.
Under the scheme, the self-employed can claim a taxable grant worth 80% of their trading profits up to a maximum of £2,500 per month for three months. To be eligible, self-employed trading profits must be less than £50,000 and more than half of the person’s income must come from self-employment.
HMRC figures estimate there are 8,100 potentially eligible people in Pembrokeshire and some 5,700 claims have been made giving a take-up rate of 70%. This is below the Welsh average of 73% but in line with the UK average. The total value of claims made is £14.3m.
The Preseli Pembrokeshire parliamentary constituency has an estimated 5,300 people who are potentially eligible. Of these, 3,600 have made claims, a take-up rate of 68%.
The take-up rate in the part of the Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire constituency that lies in Pembrokeshire is 75% (2,100 claims from 2,800 eligible people).
Self-employed people should also be aware that the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme is now being extended.
Eligible people are able to claim a second and final grant in August 2020. Their eligibility will be worked out in the same way as the first grant.
If they make a claim for the second grant they will have to confirm their business has been adversely affected on or after 14 July 2020.
For more information on the HMRC Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-self-employment-income-support-scheme
