Covid-19: Useful numbers and resources for businesses & our free helpline

Information up to date on: Tuesday 17^th March

With the government suggesting more stringent social distancing actions for a sustained period of time this is going to have and already is having a significant impact on businesses. We have collated a number of resources and helpline numbers for you to use in this time.

 FREE HELPLINE FOR CLIENTS:

If you are worried about your business or finances and have any questions please get in touch and we will be able to advise you.

We are offering this as a free service for clients, please get in touch with your partner at Swindells and they will be able to advise you further using our mobile details or email available on the home page of our website

Tax helpline to help affected businesses:

New HMRC helpline launched to help businesses concerned about paying their tax due to coronavirus (COVID-19).

If you run a business or are self-employed and are concerned about paying your tax due to coronavirus, you can call HMRC’s helpline for help and advice:

0800 0159 559

Follow this link for more information:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tax-helpline-to-support-businesses-affected-by-coronavirus-covid-19

General information and business support announced in the budget:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-employees-employers-and-businesses

Quick link to support documents:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-for-those-affected-by-covid-19

Bank information & helplines:

Barclays:

Helpline: 0800 1971 086 – open 0800 to 2000 Monday to Friday.

More information: https://www.barclays.co.uk/coronavirus/

Natwest:

What Natwest have said:

If your business has been impacted by Coronavirus, our teams are here to support you.

Please see our Coronavirus guide to the practical steps you can take to help your business, and how we can help.

That support may include loan repayment holidays, interest rate reductions, temporary emergency loans with no fees or immediate access to deposit balances with no penalty.

We’ve also announced £5bn of Working Capital Support for those businesses that will see disruption as a result of Covid-19

We have operational resilience plans in place that reflect guidance from Public Health Authorities to ensure we can continue to serve you.

If you need our help:

Talk to your Relationship Manager

Call NatWest Business Banking on 0345 711 4477

For more information:

https://www.business.natwest.com/business/support-centre/service-status/coronavirus.html

Santander:

Helpline: 0800 731 6666

Santander’s list of tips for customers:

https://www.santander.co.uk/personal/coronavirus

Lloyds:

Lloyds statement:

We’re keen to help protect our small business customers from the impacts of coronavirus and we’ve therefore introduced a £2 billion package to help minimise disruption to your business operation over the coming weeks and months.

This support package has been designed to help you access additional finance and manage the impact of supply chain interruptions or employee absence. The financial support available includes:

• No arrangement fees for new overdrafts or overdraft limit increases
• No arrangement fees for new or increased invoice discounting and finance facilities
• In certain circumstances, repayment holidays to be provided, to those businesses impacted the most*

*Subject to individual agreements

If you are concerned at all, please contact us to discuss how we can support you during this time.

More information: https://www.lloydsbank.com/help-guidance/coronavirus.html

Business link: https://www.lloydsbank.com/business/coronavirus.html

HSBC:

HSBC has allocated £5 billion to help businesses in need of support.

We’re proactively contacting our customers to see what help their businesses need.

You can contact our helpline on 08000 121 614, from 09:00 – 17:00 Monday to Friday.

For more advice on planning for any possible disruption, visit:

https://www.business.hsbc.uk/en-gb/gb/article/coronavirus

More information: https://www.hsbc.co.uk/help/coronavirus/

Further resources:

Coronavirus support for employees, benefit claimants and businesses:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-support-for-employees-benefit-claimants-and-businesses

Self Employed: (Source: https://www.equity.org.uk/coronavirus-financial-support)

Self-employed workers

Those who are self-employed workers only will not be entitled to SSP or CSP. You may be entitled to the following social security benefits:

1. A) Contributory Employment and Support Allowance (CESA) otherwise known as ‘New Style ESA.’ It is the state benefit that is paid to people who are unable to work due to ill health and covers basic living costs not including housing and council tax costs. Eligibility is based on your national insurance record.

The basic rates for CESA are £57.90 per week for those under 25 years, or £73.10 per week for those 25 years old. There are different rates for couples. Rates will increase from 8/4/20.

B) If NOT entitled to CESA, you should be entitled to the equivalent support through Universal Credit (limited capability for work due to ill health), subject to means testing; for example, savings over £6k and your partners income will be taken into account.

To claim CESA or Universal Credit (limited capability for work due to ill health), call 0800 328 5644 to start your claim.   You may be asked to start a UC claim online also (https://www.gov.uk/apply-universal-credit).*

For Universal Credit, the basic rate is £251.77 per month for those under 25 years, or £317.82 per month for those 25 years old (subject to means testing). There are different rates for couples. Elements are also available for living costs for children and rent (see section 3 below). Rates will increase from 8/4/20.

If you have any questions or worries we are here to help. Get in touch with us using email or on our phone number and we will be able to advise on the best course of action for your business.