Support for businesses who are paying sick pay to employees

UPDATED 22nd March

Statutory Sick Pay

"We will bring forward legislation to allow small-and medium-sized businesses and employers to reclaim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) paid for sickness absence due to COVID-19. The eligibility criteria for the scheme will be as follows:

• this refund will cover up to 2 weeks’ SSP per eligible employee who has been off work because of COVID-19
• employers with fewer than 250 employees will be eligible - the size of an employer will be determined by the number of people they employed as of 28 February 2020
• employers will be able to reclaim expenditure for any employee who has claimed SSP (according to the new eligibility criteria) as a result of COVID-19
• employers should maintain records of staff absences and payments of SSP, but employees will not need to provide a GP fit note. If evidence is required by an employer, those with symptoms of coronavirus can get an isolation note from NHS 111 online and those who live with someone that has symptoms can get a note from the NHS website
• eligible period for the scheme will commence the day after the regulations on the extension of SSP to those staying at home comes into force
• the government will work with employers over the coming months to set up the repayment mechanism for employers as soon as possible.

Eligibility

You are eligible for the scheme if:

• your business is UK based
• your business is a small or medium-sized and employs fewer than 250 employees as of 28 February 2020

How to access the scheme

A rebate scheme is being developed. Further details will be provided in due course once the legalisation has passed."

GuidanceCOVID-19: support for businesses

What to do if an employee needs time off work to look after someone

"Employees are entitled to time off work to help someone who depends on them (a ‘dependant’) in an unexpected event or emergency. This would apply to situations related to coronavirus (COVID-19). For example:

• if they have children they need to look after or arrange childcare for because their school has closed
• to help their child or another dependant if they’re sick, or need to go into isolation or hospital

There’s no statutory right to pay for this time off, but some employers might offer pay depending on the contract or workplace policy.

ACAS has more information on coronavirus and can help with specific queries by phone."

Visit the Government's Business Support Webpage for up-to-date guidance

What about if I’m self-employed?

You can apply for Universal Credit.

ARTICLE BY THE TELEGRAPH

• I'm self-employed – can I get sick pay for coronavirus?  Despite calls from MPs and trade bodies to provide statutory sick pay for the self-employed, the Government has decided to support them via the benefits system.
  Read more...

What if the whole family has to stay at home and there’s no income coming in?

If no one is getting Statutory Sick Pay, the family can apply for Universal Credit.

** the standard weekly rate for SSP is £94.25 a week

The Rawcliffe & Co team is available via phone or email Monday to Thursday 9-5pm and 9 - 4:30pm on Fridays.

Tel: 01253 798812
Email: info@rawcliffeco.com