How to apply for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS)

What you need

If you plan to make your claim you will need your:

• Self Assessment UTR (Unique Tax Reference)
• National Insurance Number
• Bank account number and Sort Code you want to be paid into
• Government Gateway user ID and password

Check if you’re eligible

Go to and follow the instructions on the gov.uk website here…

To complete the eligibility check, you’ll need to have your:

• National Insurance Number
• Self-Assessment Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) number

If HMRC confirm you’re eligible, you will then need your Government Gateway user ID and password.

If you don’t already have a Government Gateway ID, you will see a prompt to create one when you use the SEISS eligibility checker.

Have you set up your Government Gateway ID?

It’s better to set up your Government Gateway ID through this prompt than through any other route on gov.uk as it ensures the correct type of ID is set up.

You will be asked to verify who you are by providing details from your driving licence photocard or your UK passport. If you don’t have either of these, you will be asked for a piece of financial information, for example, the date you set up a mobile phone contract. If the site does not identify you, it might be because there is not enough information to be able to do so. This isn’t your fault and it won’t stop you being able to claim your grant, but it might mean that you won’t be able to claim it online. If you have this problem, check with HMRC online services why you haven’t been able to be identified on 0300 200 3600. HMRC will be confirming an alternative way to claim the grant in due course for those unable to claim online.

Have you already got a Government Gateway ID, but can’t access it?

If you have previously had a Government Gateway account and have since changed your mobile phone number where you receive your access codes, you will need to let HMRC know by calling 0300 200 3600. They will then be able to reset the number for you. If you have changed your email address you will need to let HMRC know by calling 0300 200 3600.  If you have forgotten your ID or password, you will see prompts on the screen that will ask you for information to be able to identify you and to reset this information.

What happens if you are eligible?

HMRC will contact you using the email and mobile phone number you submitted, to tell you when the claim system is available for you to use.  The dates to make claims is expected to be between 13 – 18 May.

Make a claim

To make a claim, all you need are your Government Gateway log in details, bank account number and sort code.  HMRC will calculate the income support you’re entitled to, based on the information you have submitted in your previous tax returns.

What next?

After HMRC has received and checked your claim, they will pay the money direct into your bank account in six working days.

Appeals for ineligibility of SEISS

We have seen instances where clients disagree with a negative outcome when using the eligibility checker.  If you find yourself in this situation, we advise you contact your Old Mill adviser to discuss why HMRC has come to this decision.

If it’s felt that HMRC has made a mistake then you can appeal using this method:

1. Go onto the Government Eligibility Checker
2. On the page where you are told you are not eligible, scroll down and click the hyperlink at ‘Self-Employment Income Support Scheme‘ (opens a new tab)
3. You will be asked ‘Are you requesting an eligibility review on behalf of a client?‘ This is if you are an accountant or finance professional.  If you are doing this for yourself, click ‘No’.
4. The next page is to confirm that you are aware you were told that you are not eligible at first and that you might be rejected again. Click ‘Confirm and Continue’.
5. Enter your email address and click ‘Continue’. HMRC will then send you a code via email for you to enter on the next screen. Once your email address is verified, they will send you an email confirming they will review your case and will include further steps.

These reviews will happen after 18 May and explanations will be given by the end of May.