Government Payouts for Contractors

[JamesC34]

I am a contractor through an umbrella company and my contract officially ends on the 31st March.

Does anyone understand the government coronavirus payments? Will I get any? Should I apply now or after my contract expires?

Any advice much appreciated.

[Bean]

I am a contractor through an umbrella company and my contract officially ends on the 31st March.

Does anyone understand the government coronavirus payments? Will I get any? Should I apply now or after my contract expires?

Any advice much appreciated.

There should be an announcement regarding the self-employed tomorrow, allegedly.

Wait until the announcement, add 30 minutes and search google/ask for advice then...

[northernladuk]

In the meantime you can have a look around and read the 30nodd other threads we have going on this.

[BrilloPad]

In the meantime you can have a look around and read the 30nodd other threads we have going on this.

Indeed. Multiple threads should be reserved for COV19.

Maybe we should all put all our replies in a new thread? I bet the mods would love to tidy that up....

[GhostofTarbera]

I am a contractor through an umbrella company and my contract officially ends on the 31st March.

Does anyone understand the government coronavirus payments? Will I get any? Should I apply now or after my contract expires?

Any advice much appreciated.

You are not a contractor anymore

You are an employee of the umbrella company

Ask your employer


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[Paralytic]

You are not a contractor anymore

You are an employee of the umbrella company

Ask your employer

And after your contract ends, you're neither.

If (and a big if) you can get something from your client and the umbrella stating that the reason your contract ended is because of Covid-19, there's a chance (very slim IMO, let's wait for tomorrow) there will be something in the plans for you.

Otherwise, you'll have to fend for yourself and one of the reasons contractors are paid the rates they are is so that they can have some buffer behind them for gaps between contracts. I'd not expect the government to cover people who chose to not protect themselves during such gaps.

[ComplianceLady]

My understanding is umbrella employees are covered but not if your contract is ended - only if the umbrella company furloughs you. I've spoken to a few industry bodies about this and this is a shared understanding but we've yet to get the detail/mechanics. I'm advising clients if they are concerned best option is to stand down i.e. no work for x weeks but keep contract running - better for contractor & client.

[JamesC34]

My understanding is umbrella employees are covered but not if your contract is ended - only if the umbrella company furloughs you. I've spoken to a few industry bodies about this and this is a shared understanding but we've yet to get the detail/mechanics. I'm advising clients if they are concerned best option is to stand down i.e. no work for x weeks but keep contract running - better for contractor & client.

Thanks. Furloughing sounds like an interesting option.

[JamesC34]

Presumably if the employer argues that a job can be undertaken at home, there will be no government support anyway?

[Mordac]

I am a contractor through an umbrella company and my contract officially ends on the 31st March.

Does anyone understand the government coronavirus payments? Will I get any? Should I apply now or after my contract expires?

Any advice much appreciated.

You'll have to change your name to JamesP45. That's the best advice I can offer, I'm afraid...