Taxi and Private Hire Driver Support Fund

If you are a licensed taxi or private hire driver experiencing financial challenges as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, you may be eligible to receive a one-off grant of £1,500.

This support is separate from any other funding you may have received from the Scottish or UK Government. For example, if you have applied to the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme or the COVID-19 Public Transport Mitigation Fund, you may still be eligible. 

If you are eligible for a grant, your local authority will get in touch with you. You do not need to contact them.

You must have been licensed from 9 October 2020 to at least 31 January 2021. This does not include drivers whose licenses were suspended on or before 31 December 2020 and that remains current and valid.

Up to 31 December 2020, you must also:

• have experienced loss of income (50% of turnover, compared with 2019) and incurred overhead costs and expenses
• have been working or available for work as a taxi or private hire driver

Your local authority may ask to you to provide additional evidence to confirm if you are eligible. They will need your bank account details. You must also declare all previous support from UK, Scottish or local government support schemes.

In addition, you must not:

• have breached COVID-19 regulations
• have connections to tax havens, as set out in the Coronavirus regulations

Taxi drivers in receipt of state benefits payments (Universal Credit, Statutory Sick Pay, Employment and Support Allowance, Job Seekers’ Allowance, Income Support) are now eligible. The Scottish Government wrote to the Department for Work and Pensions seeking assurances that the grant would not impact on Universal Credit payments.

You must consider any tax implications this funding may have on any current support you are receiving, including benefits. 

This is for licensed taxi or private hire drivers in Scotland, who are experiencing financial challenges as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

You must consider any tax implications this funding may have on current financial support you are receiving, including benefits. 

Your local authority will get in touch with you directly. You can also visit the Scottish Government website to review the guidance.