Government extends extra welfare support for self-employed for further six months

The Minimum Income Floor (MIF) for self-employed Universal Credit claimants will remain suspended until the end of April 2021, extending a vital lifeline for hundreds of thousands of people, Thérèse Coffey, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions announced today (3 November 2020).

The further suspension means self-employed people will continue to receive crucial financial support from Universal Credit based on their current actual earnings – providing additional protection for those who see a drop in earnings due to the impact of Covid 19.

Work and Pensions Secretary, Thérèse Coffey said:

“This Government has taken decisive action throughout the pandemic to support the self-employed and is continuing to do so.

“We have always been clear that easements would be reviewed as public health guidance and the national working environment changes. Extending the Minimum Income Floor suspension ensures these workers have security from the welfare safety net throughout the winter.”

The temporary suspension was initially introduced in March 2020 as part of the Government’s coronavirus support measures.

The existing regulations suspending the Minimum Income Floor expire on 12 November 2020.