Citizens Advice

If you haven’t been paid your furlough pay.

Your employer should pay you on the same day you’re usually paid.

If your employer says they haven’t had the money from HMRC yet, ask when they applied to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

It should take around 6 working days for HMRC to give the money to your employer after they apply.

If you think you should have been paid by now, ask your employer when they expect to pay you.

You can raise a grievance if: n you think your employer has the money and it’s taking too long to pay you; n you don’t hear from your employer or they won’t tell you when they applied to the scheme.

If this applies to you and you need some help and support please get in touch on 0344 848 7919.

I am struggling to pay my rent as I have been made redundant.

You may be entitled to benefits to help with housing costs if your income has reduced, even if you’re still working.

You should explain the situation to your landlord straight away - they might give you more time to pay, or agree to reduce your rent.

You still need to pay your rent. If you’ve fallen behind with your rent you should start dealing with rent arrears.

If your landlord doesn’t offer to be flexible with your rent payments, it’s a good idea to pay as much as you can afford and keep a record of what you discussed.

You should also contact us - an adviser can help you explain things to your landlord, Go to: www. citizensadvicebanes.org.uk.

If you’re worried about being evicted the Government has made a temporary change to the law around eviction because of coronavirus. Your landlord might have to give you extra notice before they can evict you.

If your landlord gives you an eviction notice on or after 26 March 2020, the notice has to be increased to three months for these tenancy types: n assured, assured shorthold and starter tenancies - you’re likely to have this if you rent from a private landlord or housing association; n secure, introductory and flexible tenancies - you’re likely to have this if you rent from the local council; n protected tenancy - you’re likely to have this if you started renting from a private landlord before 15 January 1989; n demoted tenancy - you may have this if you rent from your local council or from a housing association.

I am self employed and still not able to open up my business.

If your business has been affected by coronavirus you might be able to get money from the Government, for example if you’ve: n lost out on income; n had to stop working to look after someone.

You could get 80 per cent of your average profits up to a maximum of £2,500 per month from the Government. This is called the Self-employment Income Support Scheme.

If you’re eligible, you can get money to cover lost income for three months. You had until 13 July 2020 to apply. If your business is still affected by coronavirus in August, you’ll be able to apply to the scheme again.

You’ll be able to apply even if you didn’t apply for a first payment.

You won’t have to pay the money back, but you’ll have to pay tax on it.

Call us on 0344 848 7919. n Citizens Advice BANES is a charity – please email les.redwood@cab-banes.org to donate, support or volunteer.