SEISS phase 2

Check if you can claim the SEISS phase 2 grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme

The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS phase 2) is now open for the self-employed to receive a second and final grant of up to £6,570.  The HMRC website went live on 17th August 2020 to allow you to claim the cash you are due.  As with the first grant, you need to make the claim yourself.  You must not ask your accountant or tax adviser to claim on your behalf as this is likely to trigger a fraud alert and delay your payment.

What do I need to do now?

Make sure you can log in to your Government Gateway account.  This is your online account with HMRC.  If you have never logged in or you have lost your password  / ID, make sure you can access it now!  You can register for the Government Gateway here.  To find your lost UTR number look up your previous tax returns or letters from HMRC.

If you have forgotten your user ID or password, there is a page here to reset your details.

What is the deadline for claiming SEISS phase 2 funding?

All claims for SEISS phase 2 grants must be submitted by 19th October.  HMRC are staggering the application process so you will need to check the date you can make your claim using the tool below:

Check your SEISS phase 2 eligibility online

Open the HMRC online tool and enter the details requested.  The online tool will tell you the date you can make your SEISS phase 2 claim (e.g. 20th August as the example below).

Your Government Gateway account will show you the details of your previous claim and also allow you make your claim for the second phase.  Even if you weren’t eligible for the first grant, you might still be able to receive up to £6,570 from phase 2.

How do I prove the adverse impact of COVID-19?

HMRC have published guidance to help you decide if your business has been adversely affected for the purposes of claiming SEISS phase 2 funding.

The records you need to keep include:

• Monthly accounts showing the impact of the downturn in business
• Business accounts showing a reduction in turnover or increase in expenditure
• Details of any COVID-related loans including deferring VAT and income tax payments
• Dates you had to close your business due to lockdown restrictions
• Dates you or your team were unable to work due to sickness, shielding or caring responsibilities

If I claimed SEISS phase 1 do I still need to claim phase 2 funding?

If you made a claim for the first SEISS grant, the HMRC system should still have your details.  You shouldn’t need to enter all the details again, but you will still need to make the claim through the HMRC website.

Can I still claim SEISS phase 1 funding?

Applications for phase 1 grants closed on 13th July 2020.  If you didn’t make a claim by this date you won’t be able to do so now.