CORONAVIRUS FREELANCER FINANCIAL SUPPORT RESOURCES

For Freelancers, Self-employed and Unemployed

This page was last updated 20/03/2020.

This is an uncertain time for all of us and if you are a freelancer, self-employed or have lost your job I understand you must be very worried. Below is a list of resources, funds and advice lines that might help

with finances, mental health, and finding work. They are by no means exhaustive and I want to crowdsource as much as I can so if you wish to contribute or amend anything please email me at charmaine_gilbert@yahoo.co.uk.

In particular I would like to see more information about supporting people with children and families

Freelancers are a resilient bunch who are well acquainted with uncertainty and together we will pull through. This is the perfect time to incubate new ideas, tweak that portfolio or learn new skills.

Government Protection for Renters and Landlords

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/complete-ban-on-evictions-and-additional-protection-for-renters?fbclid=IwAR0crVmgztcgZDOkhnix24IoaZV14JVE1H1YitJCgG3sR7pEhYWf_ecsz80

ESA and Universal Credit

You may be able to get New-style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA):
• If you are a self-employed person remaining at home, but not working on government advice
• If you are an employee remaining at home, but not working on government advice and earning less than £118pw

You will get this from day-one of your self-isolation. New-style Employment and Support Allowance is based on your national insurance contribution record.

People who need to claim ESA because of coronavirus will not have to produce a fit note.

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/Benefits-and-Coronavirus

If you’re employed but your earnings are too low to claim Statuary Sick Pay, you may be able to claim Universal Credit.

You will no longer have to go to the Jobcentre Plus to claim Universal Credit if you’re advised to self-isolate.

Don’t delay making a claim for benefits, even if you think you might have been affected by coronavirus.

However, if you are already getting any of these benefits being replaced by Universal Credit:

Housing Benefit
Tax Credits
Income Support
Employment and Support Allowance

And need to make a claim for Universal Credit because of coronavirus, check with the Citizens Advice Help to Claim service as soon as possible to find out how they might be affected and to get advice about your situation.

Application for Employment Support Allowance

https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance

Universal Credit

https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/coronavirus/

Scottish Welfare Fund - offers a Crisis Grant

https://www.mygov.scot/scottish-welfare-fund/scottish-welfare-fund/

Film & TV Charity - offers emergency grants and have set up a helpline

https://filmtvcharity.org.uk/

HMRC Helpline for businesses:

https://www.gov.uk/business-support-helpline?fbclid=IwAR2n0Ck9zH11_oxvwhPOL_WD8W8x60fFcx7ewpSDm3E2G_7JGzfMQvWeYfY

BECTU – trade union for workers in media and entertainment

advice for Freelancers

https://bectu.org.uk/topic/covid-19-coronavirus/

Equity Union for Creative Practitioners

https://www.equity.org.uk/about/coronavirus-advice/

Facebook Theatre Workers Support Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/489300505097902

Theatre Worker Charities and Support Lines

http://actingforothers.co.uk/

https://www.madtrust.org.uk/project/make-a-difference-coronavirus-covid-19-hardship-fund/

https://theatrehelpline.org/

For Musicians

https://www.helpmusicians.org.uk/news/latest-news/advice-relating-to-coronavirus-covid-19

Association of Charitible Organisations - lists of other charities

https://www.aco.uk.net/page/Member-Directory

Mutual Aid Groups - Grass Roots self-organising to help the most vulnerable people

https://covidmutualaid.org/

https://airtable.com/shrUCI7eE8xDqXLEx/tblFqGvhbICXwl493/viwenxDwDhhfOUiQu?blocks=hide

Mental Health Support

https://www.artsminds.co.uk/

Creative England and our sister company, Creative Industries Federation, are calling on the government to provide a Temporary Income Protection Fund for freelancers at risk from the fallout of COVID-19.

Please support this movement by adding your name to our open letter as a signatory!

https://creativeindustriesfederation.com/news/open-letter-temporary-income-protection-fund-self-employed-and-freelancers

Petition the governement for Freelancer Sick Pay

Sign this petition to Include self-employed in statutory sick pay during Coronavirus

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/300336/signatures/new

Creative Industries Federation, are calling on the government to provide a Temporary Income Protection Fund for freelancers at risk from the fallout of COVID-19.

https://creativeindustriesfederation.com/news/open-letter-temporary-income-protection-fund-self-employed-and-freelancers

Institute of Independent Professionals and Self-Employed

are lobbying the government to provide an emergency fund for the self employed

https://www.ipse.co.uk/ipse-news/news-listing/coronavirus-ipse-activity-and-advice-freelancers.html

Freelancers Facebook Support Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/142964673673928

Remote Work Jobseeking Resources

https://skillcrush.com/blog/sites-finding-remote-work/?fbclid=IwAR1QFYOlDSrVz_FKokc10pKUJQ3Ocd1Mlj8YCjRaPV0InMLTyA3GMayH1HA