Statutory Sick Pay Relief Package

Before COVID-19 Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) had to be paid by the employer, and was not then refunded by the government.  This has now been changed specifically to cover SSP paid for sickness absence due to COVID-19.  This is separate to funding being provided for furloughed employees.  

How does this work

If you have an eligible employee who has been off work because of COVID-19 then you will be able to get a refund of up to 2 weeks’ SSP for that employee. 

Which employers are eligible

UK based employers with fewer than 250 employees are eligible.  Look at how many employees you had on the payroll as at 28 February 2020. 

What records have to be kept 

You will have to maintain records of employee absences and payments of SSP.  There is no need to get an employee to provide a GP fit note.  An employee with symptoms of coronavirus can get an isolation note from NHS 111 online, and an employee that lives with someone that has symptoms can get a note from the NHS website. 

How do we access the refund

Watch this space!  The rebate scheme is being developed, but details of that have not yet been provided. 

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