Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme goes live
From this date, eligible employers are now able to recoup up to two weeks’ worth of SSP payments made to employees off work for COVID-19-related reasons since 13th March 2020, and for employees that have been shielding from 16th March 2020. This is an ongoing scheme for which an end date has not yet been announced.
The scheme is potentially worth up to £191.70 per employee that an employer has made SSP payments to for COVID-19-related reasons.
For the purposes of making a claim, it does not matter whether the employee was displaying symptoms themselves or was living with someone who was displaying symptoms. It also does not matter whether the employer topped up their earnings (although only the SSP element is eligible for the rebate).
A rebate cannot, however, be claimed in relation to employees who were furloughed at the time of illness or absence, and for whom the separate Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme grant was claimed.
Employers will be eligible for an SSP rebate if they had a Pay as You Earn (PAYE) scheme as of 28th February 2020, and (along with any connected employer) employed fewer than 250 employees as at that date. Employers must also be within their State Aid limits under the EU Commission temporary framework.
Laura Bright, of Harvey, Telford & Bates comments:
“If you have had employees off sick due to COVID-19, the ongoing scheme enables you to recoup up to two weeks’ worth of Statutory Sick payments. At Harvey, Telford and Bates we have the expertise to help and advise you on how to make a claim.”
For more information, help and advice, please call us on 01743 462604, or email [email protected].
To find out more about the scheme, visit the Gov.uk here.
