Self-employed and creative businesses

• Self-employed
• Creative businesses
• NHS Test and Trace Self-Isolation Support Payment

Self-employed

Self-employment Income Support Scheme

If you are self-employed or a member of a partnership and have been impacted by COVID-19, you may be eligible to claim a grant under the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.

Find out more on who can apply and how to claim (external website)

Self-employment and Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a monthly payment to help with your living costs. You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income, out of work or you cannot work.

Please note: if you get a grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme, your Universal Credit payments may stop or go down.

Find out more on Self-employment and Universal Credit at GOV.UK (external link).

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Creative businesses

The current crisis has a profound impact on all sectors of the economy, with retail, hospitality, travel and the creative industries hit particularly hard. A third of the creative sector workforce is self-employed, and 95% of all creative businesses are SMEs or micro-SMEs, making it particularly vulnerable.

If you are an arts organisation, business or individual working in the cultural sector, creative industries or night-time economy in London, please visit the Mayor of London’s Culture at Risk webpage (external link) to register your details for support, guidance and resources. 

For creative sector-specific news, resources and opportunities, you can follow @madebytottenham on Instagram and sign up to their newsletter (external link).

Further advice and guidance

• Mayor of London’s Pay It Forward (external link) - free crowdfunding platform to help businesses secure trade by pre-selling vouchers, goods and services 
• Creative Industries Federation (external link) is offering a free six-month membership for freelancers and microbusinesses (usual cost £80)
• Art Fund (external link) - small project grants of up to £10,000 for museums, galleries and other visual arts organisations
• Social Enterprises UK (external link)
• Tutti (external link) - free resources for freelancers including links to online courses and temporary work opportunities

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NHS Test and Trace Self-Isolation Support Payment

If you have been told to self-isolate by COVID-19 NHS Test and Trace and are losing pay because you cannot work, you may be able to claim up to £500.

Find out more about the payments, who can claim, and how to apply, on our dedicated support payment page.

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