Today the HMRC opens for online claims for the government’s Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.

The Government is offering to pay self-employed construction workers a grant of 80% of average monthly profits over the last three years up to £2,500 a month.

Over the three months that the scheme is open, this amounts to a maximum payment of £7,500 that will reach bank accounts by May 25, or six working days after the claim is made.

The self-employed only have three weeks left on their support scheme and are calling for a similar extension to the offered to furloughed employees yesterday by chancellor Rishi Sunak.

To qualify for support, individuals need to have made a trading profit up to £50,000. It is only available to those who made the majority of their income from self-employment.

HMRC has launched a checker to allow self-employed workers to see if they are eligible before making an application.