Monday, September 7, 2020

Self-employed business people in Kent are being urged to check their eligibility for a Government grant worth up to £6,570.

Launched by the Government in August, the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) offers a grant worth 70% of monthly trading profits for 3 months in a single sum worth up to £6,750. The announcement of this additional grant follows the first round of the scheme in July.

Eligibility:

1. Both self-employed people and those in a partnership whose business has been adversely affected by Coronavirus.
2. Earlier recipients, and those who did not apply previously.

With several Government grant schemes ending in August, self-employed people in Kent and Medway affected by the Covid-19 lockdown are urged to apply for support from the scheme. Highlighting the importance of self-employed people to the Kent economy, Cabinet Member for Economic Development Mike Whiting welcomed the second round of the scheme:

“The government has indicated that 106,000 self-employed people in Kent and Medway are eligible for this scheme which may provide a lifeline for them. With over 20% still to be awarded funds, we want to ensure that everyone who is self-employed knows about the support that’s out there and can access the grant if they are eligible. Self-employed people are critical to the Kent economy and our local economic recovery.”

Jo James, Chief Executive of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce who runs the Kent & Medway Growth Hub, added:

“Through the Kent & Medway Growth Hub’s Covid-19 Business Support Helpline, we have received over 10,000 calls from businesses seeking advice on what support they can get to help them through the business impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Many of the grants ended in August but the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme has been extended to give self-employed people further help. To get more information on SEISS and on all support being offered to businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, including our free one-to-one business recovery advice sessions, just call our expert Kent & Medway business advisers on 03333 602300.”

Applications for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme must be received by Government on or before 19^th October 2020.

For more information:

• Full details of the Government’s Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) can be found here.
• About SEISS and all the national and local Covid-19 support for business based in Kent & Medway, call the Kent & Medway Growth Hub Covid-19 Business Support Helpline on 03333 602300 or find it here.