CHAI Edinburgh: Covid-19 – What Extra Help Can You Get?

CHAI Edinburgh have released this handy summary of what extra help is available due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.


New Covid Spring Hardship Payment

The Scottish Government has announced a new payment of £100 called the Covid Spring Hardship Payment which follows on from the Covid Winter Hardship Payment (delivered over Christmas). It will be paid to low-income families and delivered at the same time as free school meals during the Easter holidays.

Although the payment will be made automatically to eligible families, you must make sure that the Council have the correct bank details for you. If you only receive free school meals because your child is in P1 to P3, you will not qualify for this new payment, unless you are assessed as having a low income. If this applies to you, you may need to request this income assessment. You can email the Council at: school.grants@edinburgh.gov.uk

Extended Furlough Scheme (CJRS)

The furlough scheme or Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) will be extended until the end of September 2021 and will continue to provide 80% of furloughed employees’ wages for hours not worked up to the £2,500 monthly limit. Contact your employer to discuss eligibility.

Working Tax Credits 

Working tax credits claimants who have been furloughed, or experience a temporary reduction in their working hours as a result of Covid-19, will continue to be treated as working their normal hours for the duration of the furlough scheme. This means that their tax credits will continue as normal.

Extended Scheme for the Self-Employed

Two new grants will be provided to eligible self-employed workers as part of the SEISS (Self-Employment Income Support Scheme). The fourth grant will cover the three-month period from 1 February 2021 to 30 April 2021, and a new fifth grant covering May to September 2021.

People who have filed a tax return for the financial year 2019/2020 will qualify for the fourth grant. The amount of the fourth grant will remain at 80% of 3 months’ average monthly trading profits, capped at £7,500.

The fifth grant amount will be calculated at 80% of the last 3 months’ trading profits if the self-employed person’s turnover has reduced by more than 30% in the year April 2020 to April 2021. Those whose turnover has reduced by less than 30% in the last financial year will receive 30% of their average trading profits.

Edinburgh Council – Extra Support During COVID-19

Check out this useful guide from the City of Edinburgh Council about the extra financial support available from the local authority.

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