Me Damo and Heather are having a conversation 4 emails between us .I cant post them as the content is addressed to me .....but I asked .Dear Minister
I seek clarification on an Issue .I am a licenced taxi driver in receipt of PUP .The qualifying criteria states To qualify for the new COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment, you must:
Be self-employed and your trading income has ceased due to the COVID-19 public health emergency OR your trading income has collapsed to the extent that you are available to take up other full-time employment. You do not need to de-register as self-employed to get a payment.
The need for clarification arises through this line ( OR your trading income has collapsed to the extent that you are available to take up other full-time employment. You do not need to de-register as self-employed to get a payment.)
The ambiguity of Income Collapse then the follow up qualification of being available to take up other employment could be interpreted that as long as you would not refuse any other work if offered ,you can subsidise your PUP with your meger earnings from your trade or profession .
Can you please clarify the Position .Can you claim the PUP and continue to trade until your business has returned to pre Covid conditions .