Taxi drivers and other self-employed workers to claim second SEISS payment from 17 August

Taxi drivers and other self-employed workers will be able to start making their second Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) payment claim from 17 August.

The welcomed payment comes as self-employed workers struggle across most industries to recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Workers eligible for the first grant have until 13 July to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of their average monthly trading profits, paid out in a single instalment covering three months’ worth of profits, and capped at £7,500 in total. Those eligible have the money paid into their bank account within six working days of completing a claim and covering the impact of COVID-19 during the months of March, April and May.

Applications for the second grant will open on 17 August. This time individuals will be able to claim a second taxable grant worth 70% of their average monthly trading profits, paid out in a single instalment covering three months’ worth of profits, and capped at £6,570 in total.

The second SEISS will only be payable if the claimant’s business has been affected by COVID-19 from 14 July.

Currently work levels in the taxi industry remain heavily impacted when compared with pre-lockdown. Whilst lockdown measures continue to ease, it remains highly unlikely that the taxi industry will recover by the 14 July.

Self-employed workers are expected to receive the second payment in the same six working day turnaround as the first claim.

Image credit: HM Treasury