I haven't had any e-mails, but updates from my accountant as recently as yesterday. It was as follows...
31st March2020
Dear Client
As promised here is an update from the government regarding financial support:-
Self Employed UPDATED
H M Revenue and Customs HAVE NOW CONFIRMED THAT YOU MUST MEET ALL THE CRITERIA BELOW IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO CLAIM THE SELF EMPLOYED 80% GRANT
*have submitted your Income Tax Self Assessment tax return for the tax year 2018-19
*traded in the tax year 2019-20
*are trading when you apply, or would be except for COVID-19
*intend to continue to trade in the tax year 2020-21
*have lost trading/partnership trading profits due to COVID-19
If clients wish to get their 19-20 personal tax returns processed and filed with H M Revenue and Customs ASAP please contact the office to arrange the delivery of your records safely and adhering to the government social distancing rules. If you checklist has not arrived in the post by this date please continue to deliver your records and the staff member who is assigned your job can ring and go through your checklist with you over the phone to ensure we have all the relevant details.
Furloughed workers (UPDATE)
We can confirm that agency workers, zero hours and part time staff ARE covered by this scheme and their employer can make the appropriate claim on their behalf, should this be the case.
If any of our clients are intending, or have already, furloughed any or all of their workers please email their full names and dates they were furloughed into Lynne in payroll who can then make the appropriate claim on your behalf once the portal is opened by H M Revenue and Customs. The lead time for the portal to be opened is still mid to late April 2020.
Interpret as you wish. I questioned the *traded in the tax year 2019-20 and how it was to be proved, the reply was the best way to prove it would be to submit them now, although they wouldn't be used to calculate earnings just to show proof. It may not be necessary to do that but it would be solid proof you did trade last year.