Updated information for individuals

24 March 2020

Concerns regarding job loss:

The UK government is going to step in and help pay people’s wages – paying grants to support as many jobs as necessary.
Grants will be paid to any employers who retain their staff. Any employer in the country – large, small, charitable or for profit – who promises to retain their staff, will be able to apply for a grant from HMRC to cover most of the wages of people who are not working but are kept on payroll, rather than being laid off.
Grants will cover 80 per cent of the salary of retained workers up to a total of £2,500 a month – which is above the average income. The cost of wages will be backdated to 1 March and will be open initially for at least three months – and the UK Government will extend the scheme for longer if necessary.
Employers will be free to top up the remaining 20 per cent, but this is not mandatory.
There will be no limit on the number or total value of grants paid out.
HMRC is working day and night to get the scheme up and running, and it is expected the first grants will be paid within weeks.
Anyone worried about being laid off, should make your employer aware of this information as soon as possible.

Entitlement to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP):

You can get £94.25 per week Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if you are too ill to work. It’s paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks.
If you are self-isolating because of COVID-19, you can now claim SSP. This includes individuals who are caring for people self-isolating in the same household and therefore have been advised to do a household quarantine. To check your sick pay entitlement, you should talk to your employer, and click here for more information.
How soon does SSP apply? The UK Government is legislating for SSP to be paid from day 1, rather than day 4, of your absence from work if you are absent from work due to sickness or need to self-isolate caused by COVID-19. Once the legislation has been passed, this will apply retrospectively from 13 March. You should talk to your employer if you are eligible for SSP and need to claim.
Do I need a sick note? Those who have COVID-19 or are advised to self-isolate are able to obtain an ‘isolation note’ here, rather than visiting a doctor. For COVID-19 cases this replaces the usual need to provide a ‘fit note’ after seven days of sickness absence. Isolation notes will be accepted by Jobcentre Plus as evidence of your inability to attend.
If you are not eligible for SSP – for example if you are self-employed or earning below the Lower Earnings Limit of £118 per week, you can now more easily make a claim for Universal Credit (UC) or new style Employment and Support Allowance. For more information on how to claim, please click here. You will now be able to claim online and access advance payments upfront without needing to attend a Jobcentre Plus.

Experiencing difficulties paying back personal loans or credit card bills:

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has called on lenders to use flexibility built into their rules to support consumers, taking into account customers’ individual circumstances. Many major lenders have already made statements to this effect.
If you are experiencing difficulties paying back loans or credit card bills because of COVID-19, you should talk to your lender.
If you agree a payment holiday with your lender, they should record these in such a way that will not impact on your credit score.

Concerns about facing insolvency:

Scotland’s insolvency service, Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB), has suspended sale and eviction from property in ongoing bankruptcy administrations until further notice.
The evidential requirements for individuals seeking debt relief through bankruptcy have been amended to allow faster access, providing protection from debt enforcement.
AiB is reducing the need for face to face contact, allowing access to debt relief to be maintained by accepting electronic signatures on protected trust deeds and other documentation.
If you have an ongoing debt payment plan but are worried about how you will be able to pay, AiB will not be revoking these programmes.
The latest information is available from Accountant in Bankruptcy here.

Pregnant and concerned about work:

The latest advice for pregnant women and their families from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists is available here.

If you are experiencing financial difficulties paying your energy bills:

Customers who are unable to top up their meter or can’t afford to pay their bills should get support from their supplier. You are advised to contact your energy supplier immediately to discuss how you can be kept on supply.
If you are a pre-payment or pay as you go customer who cannot leave your home, your provider should help you stay supplied. This could mean someone else can be sent to top up your card, a pre-loaded gas or electricity card is sent in the post, or funds are added to your credit.
Disconnection of credit meters will be completely suspended. If you are in financial distress, you may also be able to have your debts or bill payments reassessed, paused or reduced where needed.

Income Tax – Self-assessment:

The UK Government has deferred income tax self-assessment payments. Income tax self-assessment payments for July will be deferred until the end of January 2021.

Council Tax:

The council tax reduction scheme has received additional funding. To find out eligiblity please visit the citezins advice website.
Details on how to apply for a council tax reduction via your local authority can be found here.

If you require further financial support

You can check whether you are eligible for any of the social security benefits delivered in Scotland by clicking here or you can contact your local Citizens Advice Centre by clicking here.