Update 17 March 2020
For businesses with fewer than 250 employees, the cost of providing 14 days statuary sick pay per employee will be refunded by the government in full. Coronavirus sick pay is expected to be in the form of a refund.
The Treasury says that it is “working with employers over the months to set up a repayment mechanism as soon as possible for employers reclaiming statuary sick pay”.
For further advice regarding sick pay and how best to support your employee’s should they self-isolate, the ACAS website has issued the following information – https://www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus
Update 20 May 2020
How to claim coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay
Update from the government:
“We’re writing to let you know that the coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme will launch online on 26 May.
The scheme will enable employers with fewer than 250 employees to claim coronavirus-related Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). Tax agents will be able to make claims on behalf of employers.
Employers are eligible to use the scheme if:
- they’re claiming for an employee who’s eligible for sick pay due to coronavirus
- they had a PAYE payroll scheme in operation before 28 February 2020
- they had fewer than 250 employees across all PAYE schemes on 28 February 2020
- they’re eligible to receive State Aid under the EU Commission Temporary Framework.
The repayment will cover up to two weeks of the applicable rate of SSP, and is payable if a current or former employee was unable to work on or after 13 March 2020 and entitled to SSP, because they either:
- have coronavirus
- are self-isolating and unable to work from home
- are shielding because they’ve been advised that they’re at high risk of severe illness from coronavirus.
To prepare to make a claim, employers should keep records of all the SSP payments they wish to claim for.
For more information about eligibility and how employers (or you on their behalf) can prepare to use the scheme, please visit GOV.UK and search ‘Check if you can claim back Statutory Sick Pay paid to employees due to coronavirus (COVID-19)‘.
Please only call us if you cannot find the support you need on GOV.UK advice pages or through our webchat service – this will leave our lines open for those who need our help most. We’d also value your help in ensuring your clients understand their eligibility for this scheme.
You can find out more about this coronavirus support measure, and others such as HMRC’s Job Retention Scheme, by signing up to one of our webinars. For more information please visit GOV.UK and search for ‘Help and support if your business is affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)‘.
A word about scams
We are aware of an increase in scam emails, calls and texts. If someone gets in touch claiming to be from HMRC, saying that financial help can be claimed or that a tax refund is owed, and asks you to click on a link or to give information such as your name, credit card or bank details, please do not respond. You can forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and texts to 60599.
We will continue to update you about this scheme.
Finally if you need to have a chat with me please contact me. I can do zoom calls, FaceTime or just the normal phone call. Don’t bury your head in the sand, talk to me, and stay safe.