How do you apply for a grant through the Self-employment Income Support Scheme?

The Self-employment Income Support Scheme has been live since 13th May. However, HMRC's website states that you should use their online tool to find out whether or not you'll be eligible for a grant before you make a claim.

If this tool says that you are eligible, HMRC will give you a date on which you'll be able to make a claim and you'll also be asked to add in your contact details so they can get in touch with you if need be.

To be able to use this tool, you'll need to have your Self Assessment Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) number and your National Insurance number to hand. If you don't have these, there's a link to where you can find them in the following section.

If you're eligible to make a claim

To apply for support from HMRC you'll need:

Your Self Assessment Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) number (if you've lost your UTR number, here's how to find it)

Your National Insurance number (if you've lost your NI number, here's how to find it)

Your Government Gateway user ID and password (you can create one online if you don't already have one)

The bank account number and sort code of the account you'd like the grant to be paid into.

Once you've applied, HMRC will tell you right away whether or not you're eligible for a grant. If you are, the money should arrive in your bank account within six working days.

You can make a claim for Universal Credit while you wait for the grant. Any support you get from this Self-employment Income Support Scheme may affect how much Universal Credit you get from here on out, but should not affect claims for earlier periods.

If you're not eligible to make a claim or think HMRC has made a mistake

If after making a claim HMRC has deemed you ineligible and you're not satisfied with this outcome or you think HMRC has miscalculated your grant, you should get in touch with them with the following information:

Your grant claim reference

Your National Insurance number

The UTR number you used on your claim

The Government Gateway user ID you used to make a claim

Details about why you think the grant amount or eligibility outcome is wrong.

If you submitted your self-assessment tax return between 26th March 2020 and 23rd April 2020, check your eligibility again as the online service has been updated so your status may have changed in the meantime.

Otherwise, contact HMRC here and ask them to review your situation.