ISM MUSIC JOURNAL NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 | LEGAL & BUSINESS
Welfare benefits for musicians Eden Waygood, ISM’s Membership & Services Officer, runs through some of the state benefits you might be entitled to
As we head into winter with many parts of the country in regional lockdowns, we understand that your ability to generate income may have reduced and that some of you may be experiencing financial difficulties. Here we take you through some of the state benefits you might be entitled to; for details of eligibility and how to apply please visit our website at: ism.org/advice/welfare-benefits-musicians Remember that you may qualify for most of these benefits even if you are self-employed.
Above: Eden Waygood, ISM Membership & Services Officer Photo: Emile Holba
Universal Credit Universal Credit supports you if you are on a low income or out of work. It includes a monthly payment to help with your living costs or payments twice a month for some people in Scotland. Universal Credit is replacing the following benefits, which are being phased out: • Child Tax Credit • Housing Benefit
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) If you are employed and normally earn more than the ‘lower earnings limit’ you should be entitled to SSP. You may also be entitled to contractual sick pay from your employer and this may mean that you suffer no loss of earnings in the first weeks off work. If you are employed and still unable to return to work when your period of SSP stops after 28 weeks, you may then qualify for contributions-based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). You qualify for this benefit if: • you are assessed as having ’limited capability for work’ • you are under state pension age and • you have paid sufficient National Insurance contributions If you are self-employed and have been paying Class 2 National Insurance contributions you qualify for contributions-based ESA, as long as you satisfy the other two conditions.
• Income Support • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance • Working Tax Credit You can remain on any of the above benefits without applying for Universal Credit. However, if your circumstances change and you need to make a new claim to one of the above benefits, as these benefits are not accepting new applicants, your new claim will fall under Universal Credit. If you are receiving any of the above benefits or tax credits they will stop if you make a Universal Credit claim.
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Employment Support Allowance (ESA) In some cases, you may be able to apply for ESA. ESA gives additional support to people who have limited capacity to work due to their sickness or disability. If you do not receive SSP, for example those who are self-employed or are in employment but earn less than £118 a week, you should consider making a claim. You can apply for ESA whether or not you are in work. You must be under state pension age and there are no conditions to working while claiming ESA. You cannot receive ESA at the same time as receiving SSP from your employer, however you can apply for
