Can I get another job if my boss has furloughed me? And will we get any money back for our banned wedding?

As millions of us face acute anxiety over our finances, your key questions answered

CORONAVIRUS is hitting our financial lives like nothing in modern history. Here, we answer some of the many questions you have raised – on everything from work to home, cars and lifestyle.

YOUR WORK... AND YOUR RIGHTS

H.A. writes: I work for a restaurant which closed last week and we have all been sent home.

When will I be paid?

Sarah replies: SOME companies are keeping staff on full pay while business is suspended but others are waiting for the Government’s Corona virus Job Retention Scheme to kick in. This means furloughed staff – those without work to do but who remain on the company’s payroll – will be paid up to 80 per cent of their wages up to a maximum of £2,500 a month.

The money will be backdated to the start of March, be distributed via your employer and should be available in weeks. The scheme covers everyone on the payroll including full and part-time staff, agency contractors and those on flexible or zero-hours contracts. Your employer does not have to top up the other 20 per cent. M.R. writes: I’m still employed but too sick to work. What are my rights to sickness pay?

Sarah replies: YOU can get £94.25 per week statutory sick pay (SSP) if you’re too ill to work or if you are self-isolating as part of your household. Talk to your employer about claiming the benefit – and also look at gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay. G.R. writes: I am self-employed and have seen my income dramatically fall thanks to coronavirus. What help is there for me?

Sarah replies: ALONGSIDE the Government’s support for employees who are being furloughed, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a similar scheme for most of Britain’s five million selfemployed. They will get a taxable grant worth up to 80 per cent of average profits from the last three tax years up to a maximum of £2,500 a month. The scheme will open for at least three months and is available to anyone with trading profits of up to £50,000. If you haven’t yet filed your 2019 return (due at the end of January), you have been given four weeks to file those so you can be considered. HMRC is contacting everyone who is eligible, with the scheme to be up and running by the start of June. H.B. writes: What if I need funds now rather than waiting until the Government’s schemes start paying out?

Sarah replies: THE Department for Work and Pensions is focusing on processing universal credit applications as soon as possible but payments are understood to be taking five weeks to come through. However, the Chancellor said people can apply for an advance payment which is payable almost immediately. P.T. writes: My boss has asked us all to work for free during the crisis to help keep the company going. What are my rights?

Sarah replies: YOU cannot be forced to work for nothing. If you cannot or do not want to work for free, you’re effectively being made redundant and are entitled to notice pay, accrued holiday pay and statutory redundancy if you have been there for two years or more. Your boss could also risk an investigation by Revenue & Customs for not paying staff the minimum wage. H.H. writes: I’ve been made redundant and my boss doesn’t want to take advantage of the Government’s furlough scheme. What can I do?

Sarah replies: YOU can’t force your boss to furlough you, so if you have been made redundant then the usual statutory regulations on redundancy still apply. L.E. writes: I have been furloughed by my employer but I am still able to work. Can I go and find a temporary job somewhere else?

Sarah replies: YES definitely – it’s a great way to boost your earnings while furloughed. Supermarkets are desperate for extra staff.

KEEPING A ROOF OVER YOUR HEAD

R.M. writes: I can’t afford my rent – will I be evicted?

Sarah replies: UNIVERSAL credit including housing benefit might help with your rental costs. If you claim benefits and rent privately, then local housing allowance (LHA) will pay for at least 30 per cent of market rents in your area. The Government has said no one can be evicted from private or social housing for the next three months. Your landlord is also able to request a three- month mortgage payment holiday from their lender.

The National Housing Federation says housing associations will not evict tenants hit by the virus and who fall behind on payments. Find out more at gov.uk/housing-benefit/ how-to-claim. H. F. writes: I’m in the middle of moving house. What should I do?

Sarah replies: THE Government says that home buyers and renters should, where possible, delay moving while measures are in place to fight coronavirus. It adds: ‘If you have already exchanged contracts and the property is currently occupied then all parties should work together to agree a delay or another way to resolve this matter.’

If moving i s unavoidable for contractual reasons or parties are unable to reach an agreement then it must be done following coronavirus guidelines on distancing. Mortgage lenders are working on plans to allow customers who have exchanged contracts to extend their mortgage offer for three months.

A.P. writes: My tenancy is coming to an end. I am worried I could be homeless.

Sarah replies: IF YOU have plans to move during the lockdown, official advice is to delay. Contact your old and new landlords regarding the start and end dates of both tenancies. If you’ve already signed a tenancy agreement, you could negotiate a new start date so you don’t have to start paying rent before you can move. Your current tenancy will roll over in to a periodic tenancy if your fixed term contract ends while you still live there. Charity Shelter offers lots of useful advice at shelter.org.uk.

PROBLEMS WITH YOUR FINANCES

D.W. writes: I’m struggling financially. What can I do?

Sarah replies: MANY banks have put into place measures such as interest-free overdrafts, increased overdraft limits and free cash withdrawals on credit cards but these do attract a higher interest rate. Try not to take on high- interest debt if possible. You can get advice on debt and money worries at: Money and Pensions Service (moneyadviceservice.org.uk); Citizens Advice (citizensadvice.org.uk); and StepChange (stepchange.org).

Turn2Us has a useful calculator to see what benefits you might be entitled to. Visit turn2us.org.uk. O.J. writes: I cannot afford to pay my mortgage this month. What should I do?

Sarah replies: CONTACT your mortgage provider. The Government has told lenders to offer a three-month mortgage holiday to people who are in financial difficulty as a result of coronavirus. Many lenders have set up an online application form so go to their website for the link, otherwise call them directly but be prepared to wait. Customers are also being offered the chance to switch to an interest-only mortgage for 12 months. S.W. writes: I can’t afford my minimum credit card payment. Will I get penalised?

Sarah replies: MANY banks are waiving late payment penalties but you should contact your lender as soon as possible to discuss your payments options such as deferring payments or switching to a lower-interest credit card. See if you can switch high-interest cards to a zero or lower interest rate via a comparison website such as MoneySavingExpert.

ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE IN BUSINESS

E.N. writes: I run my own business. What help is there for me?

Sarah replies: THE Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme is aimed at helping small and medium-sized companies borrow up to £5 million at preferential rates. Companies with a larger turnover can access the Bank of England’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility. For more information go to gov.uk.

WEDDINGS, CARS AND HOLIDAYS

D.C. writes: I’m due to get married next month. Am I still allowed to?

Sarah replies: THE Government has stopped all weddings as well as baptisms so check your wedding insurance, if you have it, and contact your provider. Some might not pay out if there is a clause against law changes.

Some venues are offering couples the chance to postpone which makes the best financial sense as neither the couple nor the venue might be able to claim on their insurance. P.G. writes: Is it worth taking out life assurance or income protection insurance?

Sarah replies: IF you already have life assurance, you will be covered for infectious diseases. If you now try to take some out, you may find premiums have risen and any underlying health conditions or recent travel which make you more susceptible to Covid-19 might cost you more, or cause your application to be rejected.

If you already have mortgage or income protection cover you might be able to claim for redundancy or sickness although as the effects of the coronavirus seem to be relatively short-lasting, illness might not extend beyond any policy waiting period for benefit to kick in. E.F. writes: I can’t afford the payments on my car leasing agreement. Any advice?

Sarah replies: SPEAK to your finance provider. They could allow you to defer payments or may be willing to extend the loan period to reduce the cost of the monthly payments.

If you have a personal contract purchase (PCP) or hire purchase (HP) deal, you’re allowed to hand the car back to the finance company if you’ve already paid off 50 per cent of the loan, including interest and fees. If you’ve yet to pay off 50 per cent, you’ll have to make up the difference and if you’ve paid more you won’t get the extra money back. T.W. writes: I’m stranded abroad – what financial help is there for me?

Sarah replies: THE Government has said it will offer emergency loans for those stranded – and people should contact the local consulate or embassy although many are finding it difficult to get through. C.N. writes: The MOT on my car is about to run out, but I still need the vehicle for essential travel. What should I do?

Sarah replies: CARS are being given a six-month extension for their MOT date as of tomorrow, meaning you are covered to drive for a further six months after your MOT date expires. This offer will be in force for 12 months. But you must still ensure your motor insurance and car tax are kept up to date and your car is roadworthy. W.Y. writes: What if my MOT ran out in the last few weeks?

Sarah replies: ANY vehicles where the MOT ran out before March 30 still need a test certificate. Mechanics have been granted key worker status so you should find a garage open. Just do not go within two metres of anyone there.