{"id":1254,"date":"2020-05-01T13:00:24","date_gmt":"2020-05-01T12:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/?p=1254"},"modified":"2022-01-19T10:56:39","modified_gmt":"2022-01-19T10:56:39","slug":"covid-19-support-for-sex-workers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/covid-19-support-for-sex-workers\/","title":{"rendered":"COVID-19 Support: Financial aid services for sex workers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The current climate continues to impact the livelihoods of many, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/how-sex-workers-are-dealing-with-coronavirus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">including sex workers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who have lost and continue to lose business due to the pandemic.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a result of the current situation, many sex workers have adapted to new ways to make money, such as turning to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/benefits-of-adult-webcam\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">webcam and phone services<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0to continue generating business. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Though <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/five-ways-to-move-escort-business-online\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">moving your business online<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can help, there are also many schemes, grants and support networks available to further provide you with additional help.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#governmentgrant\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Government grant<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#universalcredit\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Universal credit<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#rentersprotection\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Renters protection<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#hardshipfunds\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hardship funds<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Vivastreet has put together a list of useful information to help support you through these uncertain times.\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"governmentgrant\"><b>Government grant<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The impact of COVID-19 has seen the government recently introduced a new income support scheme to help self-employed workers. This means that if you have registered as self-employed and have lost income due to the coronavirus, you may be eligible to apply through HMRC for the<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0\u2018COVID-19 Self-employment Income Support Scheme\u2019.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This scheme will allow you to claim a taxable grant worth 80% of your trading profits, up to a maximum of \u00a32,500 per month for the next 3 months. It may be extended if needed. In order to apply for this scheme, you must meet the following criteria.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You have submitted your Income Tax Self Assessment tax return for the tax year 2020-21<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You traded in the tax year 2021-22<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You are trading when you apply, or would be except for COVID-19<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You intend to continue to trade in the tax year 2022-23<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You have lost trading\/partnership trading profits due to COVID-19<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1291 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/vivastreetuk.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/government-grant-covid-19-scheme.png\" alt=\"Woman sitting on bed with laptop, paperwork and checking mobile phone\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/government-grant-covid-19-scheme.png 1080w, https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/government-grant-covid-19-scheme-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/government-grant-covid-19-scheme-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/government-grant-covid-19-scheme-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/government-grant-covid-19-scheme-600x338.png 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>More on the criteria required for this grant and how to apply can be found on the official Government website <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">here<\/a>.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you need to register as self-employed read our article on how to become a self-employed sex worker <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/sex-work-and-self-employment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"universalcredit\"><b>Universal credit<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><b><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just like the <\/span><b>\u2018<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">COVID-19 Self-employment Income Support Scheme\u2019, if you are self-employed you may be entitled to Universal Credit to help support your business. To get this support you will need to be able to show that:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your self-employment is your main job or your main source of income<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You get regular work from self-employment<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your paperwork is organised if required for proof of employment (you have invoices, receipts etc)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You expect to make a profit via your work from self-employment<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More information on Universal Credit including how you can apply and whether you are eligible can be found <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk\/new-to-universal-credit\/self-employment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"rentersprotection\"><b>Renters protection<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Government has introduced <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">measures to protect renters affected by COVID-19. With these in place, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">no renter in social or private accommodation will be forced out of their home. From 26 March 2020, landlords are now required to give all renters 3 months notice if they intend to seek possession of their property.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More information on renters and landlord rights can be found <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/government-support-available-for-landlords-and-renters-reflecting-the-current-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-1292\" src=\"https:\/\/vivastreetuk.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/government-renters-protection-covid-19-scheme.png\" alt=\"20th century edwardian terraced houses\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/government-renters-protection-covid-19-scheme.png 1080w, https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/government-renters-protection-covid-19-scheme-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/government-renters-protection-covid-19-scheme-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/government-renters-protection-covid-19-scheme-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/government-renters-protection-covid-19-scheme-600x338.png 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/h2>\n<h2 id=\"hardshipfunds\"><b>Hardship funds<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There have been a number of hardship funds set up to help protect sex workers who are most in need. Vivastreet have also <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">announced that we will be matching <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/vivastreet-to-support-sex-workers-during-covid-19-crisis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">donations to sex worker support<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> initiatives \u2013 primarily SWARM\u2019s hardship fund \u2013 up to \u00a3100,000 and a further donation of \u00a310,000 to Umbrella Lane\u2019s hardship fund.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can find out more about SWARM\u2019s fund on their site <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.swarmcollective.org\/donate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span>Likewise, to find out more about Umbrella Lane&#8217;s hardship fund, click <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justgiving.com\/campaign\/UmbrellaLaneEmergencyFund\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are reading this and are in position to be able to make a donation, then we urge you to do so.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>If you\u2019re in need of additional financial support, we hope the above can help you during this difficult time. If you seek further support or advice, our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/resources-for-sex-workers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">resources for sex workers<\/a> page details a comprehensive list of all relevant organisations for sex workers in the UK.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Likewise, if you\u2019re interested in setting up a webcam and phone service with Vivastreet to generate more revenue, get started <a href=\"https:\/\/post.vivastreet.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The current climate continues to impact the livelihoods of many, including sex workers who have lost and continue to lose business due to the pandemic. As a result of the current situation, many sex workers have adapted to new ways to make money, such as turning to webcam and phone services\u00a0to continue generating business. Though [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1294,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"CBBTypography":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[102],"tags":[],"yst_prominent_words":[],"class_list":["post-1254","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-updates-and-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1254","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1254"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1254\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1294"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1254"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1254"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1254"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vivastreet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=1254"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}