For a quick reference guide which is packed with useful links and information click here.
To read the most up to date information on advice from the government regarding keeping safe, as well as key information such as travel advice, please click here.
You may be worrying about coronavirus and how it could affect your life. Feeling lonely, anxious or worried about your finances and your health are all very normal. You may also be a business owner responsible for your employees and feeling overwhelmed or worried about how best to help yourself and your employees.
The partners we work with regularly are here to support you during this challenging time. Please find links to their websites and contact details below.
LawCare
LawCare offers a free, confidential emotional support service to all legal professionals, their support staff and families in the UK and Ireland. The team is there to listen, with helpline calls, emails and webchats answered in confidence by trained staff and volunteers who have first-hand experience of working in the law. It also has a network of peer supporters. If you need to talk call LawCare’s free, independent and confidential helpline on 0800 279 6888, email support@lawcare.org.uk or visit www.lawcare.org.uk. To access a range of advice and tips to help you, including how to look after yourself while working remotely – click here.
Solicitors’ Assistance Scheme
The Solicitors’ Assistance Scheme (SAS) offers free confidential help (a minimum of one hour’s advice) for all solicitors in England and Wales, their families and employees. The SAS has over 80 expert volunteers who are all solicitors and you can contact them direct both during and outside of normal office hours, by telephone or email. Please visit the website here to find an expert.
The SAS has experts in the following areas: Regulatory (Practice issues, COLP/COFA issues, Authorisation Issues), Disciplinary (Practicing Certificate issues & conditions, Self Reports, SRA investigations, SDT referrals, and breaks of the accounts rules), Partnership, Employment (including training contracts), Fraud & Crime, Interventions, Voluntary Closures or disposals of practice, Complaints & Negligence, Practice Management, Money Laundering, Insolvency.
Law Society Practice Team
The Law Society offers a range of helplines which provide practical advice and assistance to solicitors and employees of solicitors. To find out about each helpline, click here.
To read the most up-to-date information on advice from the government regarding keeping safe and for key information, such as travel advice, please click here.
If you are recently unemployed, there are options available to help you, these include:
Jobseekers Allowance
You can apply for Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) while you look for work, and payments are usually made every two weeks. To find out more click here. You may be eligible to claim JSA as well as Universal Credit, please visit the Universal Credit information below for more information.
Universal Credit
Universal Credit is payment to help with your living costs. You may be eligible for this if you’re on a low income or out of work. This is paid monthly. To find out if you qualify and how to claim, please read the government’s step by step guide here.
Looking for work?
For those looking for work, there are a number of recruitment sites and agencies available. We also recommend looking at the Department for Work & Pensions webpage where you will find details of significant demand for delivery drivers, warehouse workers and retail workers. To find out more and to register to look at what is available click here.
National Careers Service
The National Careers Service is open to everyone, whether they are employed, unemployed, been recently made redundant or furloughed. The service helps with everything from finding you work and assessing your skills, to finding training if you are considering moving to a career outside the legal profession.
Turn2us
Turn2us is a national charity that helps people in financial hardship to gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and support services – online, by phone and face to face, through partner organisations and our volunteers.
Money Advice Service
The Money Advice Service helps you manage your money better. Use their Health Check tool, calculators and comparison tables to make the most of your finances.
If you are a new applicant or existing beneficiary
The team can be contacted via email and our working hours remain from 9am to 5pm on weekdays. Please email caseworker@thesolicitorscharity.org. Alternatively, you can use the contact form below.
Please note: if you are already in receipt of agreed financial assistance, payment will be made in the usual way.
The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) was announced to support self-employed individuals whose income has been negatively impacted by COVID-19. The scheme will provide a grant to self-employed individuals or partnerships, worth 80% of their profits, up to a cap of £2,500 per month. To read the latest information, please click here.
HMRC’s Time to Pay Service
This was created for any business or self-employed person in financial distress and with outstanding tax liabilities who may be eligible for support with tax payment. If you are concerned about being able to pay your tax, due to COVID-19, call HMRC’s dedicated Coronavirus helpline on 0800 0159 559.
