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The rollout of the UK government’s self-employed income support scheme is running ahead of schedule.
Payments will arrive by 25 May, or within six working days of making a claim, which is earlier than the original target of mid-June.
HMRC began contacting eligible applicants on Monday and online applications for the scheme will open on Wednesday 13 May.
“If your business has been adversely impacted by coronavirus, you should apply,” a HMRC spokesperson told the Irish Farmers Journal.
The spokesperson confirmed that evidence does not need to be submitted as part of the process. Instead, applicants sign a declaration stating that their business has been affected by COVID-19.
The scheme allows self-employed workers to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of average monthly profits over the past three years
With markets and prices under pressure across sectors due to the pandemic, many farmers should have a strong case for applying.
The scheme allows self-employed workers to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of average monthly profits over the past three years. The payment covers a three-month period, is capped at £7,500 and is paid in a single instalment.
To be eligible, self-employment must make up at least half of an applicant’s income, so farmers with PAYE income from an off-farm job could fall outside the scheme. Self-employed workers with trading profits over £50,000 are not eligible.
An online tool is available on the HMRC website to check eligibility for the income support. It requires applicants to enter their taxpayer reference and national insurance numbers.
Extra NI support
Meanwhile, the NI Executive is being pressed to fund a separate coronavirus aid package for local farmers.
Speaking in Stormont, Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots reiterated his view that the self-employed income support scheme is not enough to help NI farmers through the pandemic.
I believe that neither Europe or the UK government have responded in a way that is needed
“I believe that neither Europe or the UK government have responded in a way that is needed,” he told MLAs.
The minister has now turned his attention to his Executive colleagues and a £912m coronavirus package that Stormont received from the British Treasury.
Around £80m of the funding is left, although the transport sector has also been earmarked for some of the remaining money.
“I have encouraged Executive colleagues not to spend that money at this moment and time, and to ensure that there is something left for agriculture in the absence of the UK government stepping up to the plate,” Minister Poots said.
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