Hello again.  How are you all?

Some extracts from Martin Lewis’s MoneySavingExpert weekly newsletter which will be of interest to some.  Thanks to James McClafferty for writing in to point it out.

“Self-employed? If you’ve savings put aside to pay tax, it NEEDN’T reduce your universal credit. Universal credit (UC) payouts are reduced if you’ve savings (or technically capital). The drop starts at £6,000 savings and by £16,000 you can’t claim.

Right now, for the first time, there are hundreds of thousands of first-time self-employed UC claimants. Many of whom, rightly, as I’ve long warned, save 1/3 of earnings to pay tax. The problem is this normally sensible planning means you’re due less UC.

As Dee tweeted me: “@MartinSLewis  I’m self-employed and put money aside to pay my tax, which put me over £16k. If I pay my tax now, would I be eligible under universal credit?” And indeed this and many similar questions started me off checking what was possible.

I discussed it with the Department for Work & Pensions, and we clarified a much better route. This is the written confirmation from a spokesperson, just confirmed: “Most commonly, we’d expect people to have business assets in a business account, including savings for tax liability, which would not be counted towards their capital limit.

“However, if someone has money in their personal account to be used for business purposes, it won’t be counted towards their capital, but they may be asked to prove that the money is for business purposes.”

To translate: if you’ve got savings to pay tax, put a note of this in your online UC journal, and tell them when they call, and it should be discounted from the calculations. See help claiming universal credit.”

And –

Limited company director coronavirus tips / wriggle room video. Those who work via small limited companies that they’re directors of (as many firms ask them to) will know already there’s very little state support available, as dividend payments aren’t covered. I’ve no grand solution, but have found some wriggle room, which I explain in my 10-min small limited-company director coronavirus help video.

 

An interesting article from Road Safety GB on how some people are behaving in relation to speed while the roads are quiet.  Click here.

 

And finally, Lynne’s had a reply to one of her letters, from the office of the DWP.  Don’t get too excited, if you want to read it you can do so here.

 

 

 

Whilst our newsflashes are normally a benefit of membership of the ADINJC, during this national emergency we want to share information as widely as possible, so please feel free to pass this on.  We are stronger together.

 

The NJC continues to be dedicated to help you in these challenging times and we hope you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy.  Please feel free to contact us for help and support.

 

ADINJC’s helpline is 0800 8202 444

The Secretary’s number is 07855 453414

HMRC Helpline:  0800 0159 559

Citizens Advice Bureau – https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/health/coronavirus-what-it-means-for-you/

You can sign up to receive Government updates on Coronavirus relating to driving tests here.