Third SEISS grant opens as IPSE issues warning

30 Nov 2020

The third SEISS (Self-Employment Income Support Scheme) grant opens for applications today (30 November).

To qualify for SEISS grants, businesses must be adversely affected due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). They must either be currently trading but be impacted by reduced demand or have been trading but be temporarily unable to do so due to COVID-19. 

However, the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE) has warned that the rules around the third grant are stricter and more complex than before.

The latest guidance on checking if you can claim a grant and new guidance on how trading conditions affect eligibility include an additional test. This requires the claimant to intend to continue to trade and reasonably believe there will be a significant reduction in their trading profits due to reduced activity, capacity or demand or inability to trade due to COVID-19.

Andy Chamberlain, Director of Policy at IPSE, said: 'We have called for a more focused distribution of SEISS and understand the efforts to target the funds at those most badly affected, but we are concerned these new rules are confusing and risk creating a climate of fear around applying.

'These complex rules may deter many self-employed from claiming support they need – and leave those who do always looking over their shoulder for fear of HMRC demanding the money back.'

Claimants can check their eligibility for the SEISS here.

About us

Higgisons was formed by John Higgison in Oxford Street in 1965 and was originally part of the Accountancy Tuition Centre until James McHale became managing partner and the firm moved to its City Road premises in 1982.

We like to become involved at the planning stage of the formation of a business venture to ensure that it is structured as flexibly and efficiently as possible so that it can cope with changes in legislation or personal circumstances.

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