On the 26 May a new online service will launch for small and medium sized employers to recover Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) payments they have made to their employees, the Government has announced today.
The Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme was announced at Budget as part of a package of support measures for businesses affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
This scheme will allow small and medium sized employers, who have fewer than 250 employees, to apply to HMRC to recover the costs of paying coronavirus-related SSP.
From the 26th May, employers will be able to make claims through a new online service. Meaning they will receive repayments at the relevant rate of SSP that they have paid to current or former employees for eligible periods of sickness starting on or after the 13 March 2020.
Secretary of State for the Department of Work and Pensions, Therese Coffey said:
“We are committed to supporting Britain’s small and medium businesses through this pandemic with a comprehensive package of support.
“This rebate will put money back in the pockets of millions of employers, ensuring they can hit the ground running as the economy re-opens.”
Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s Director General of Customer Services, said:
“Our teams have worked hard to deliver this scheme for employers and their employees, to ensure they get the support they need. We want employers to be secure in the knowledge they will receive help as they care for their staff during this difficult period.”
Employers will be eligible if they have a PAYE payroll scheme that was created and began before the 28th February 2020 and had fewer that 250 employees before the same date.
The repayment will cover up to two weeks of SSP, and is payable if an employee is unable to work due to one of the following reasons:
- have Coronavirus
- is 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 the Coronavirus.
To prepare to make claims, employers should keep records of all SSP payments that they wish to claim from the HMRC. Further guidance is available on GOV.UK.
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