Employers should remember that changes in SSP already means that the three ‘waiting days’ currently do not apply and that SSP is due from day one for those who are self-isolating or shielding. The aim being here that those who are a coronavirus spreading risk or more at risk of dying from coronavirus exposure, are incentivised to stay away from work.  

The scheme will enable employers with fewer than 250 employees to claim coronavirus-related Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) and employers will be eligible if:

• They are 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 are eligible to receive State Aid under the EU Commission Temporary Framework.

The repayments will cover up to two weeks and is payable if a current or former employee was unable to work on or after 13th March 2020 and was entitled to SSP, because they either:

• have coronavirus;
• are self-isolating and unable to work from home or;
• are shielding because they’ve been advised that they’re at high risk of severe illness from coronavirus.

The weekly SSP rate is £95.85. But, if you’re an employer who pays more than the weekly rate of SSP you can only claim up to the weekly rate paid.

Employees do not have to give you a doctor’s fit note for you to make a claim. But you can ask them to give you either:

• an isolation note from NHS 111 - if they are self-isolating and cannot work because of coronavirus or;
• the NHS or GP letter telling them to stay at home for at least 12 weeks because they’re at high risk of severe illness from coronavirus.

To use the online service you will need:

• your Government Gateway user ID;
• your employer PAYE scheme reference number;
• your business UK bank or building society details; 
• the total amount of coronavirus SSP you have paid to your employees for the claim period; 
• the number of employees you are claiming for;
• the start date and end date of the claim period.

As with the Furlough Scheme rules it’s important that you keep thorough records and in the case of SSP repayments, you should keep records for 3 years after the date that you receive payment from HMRC. You can choose how you keep records of your employees’ sickness absence but the easiest and safest way is by using HR software which ensures that your records are also GDPR compliant.

So, as we start the week this is another great initiative to support businesses through the pandemic and. make life a little easier for us all.

If you need any help and support with your HR needs during the pandemic contact us today and, if you’d like to receive all the latest HR news and updates during the pandemic straight to your inbox sign up to our newsletter today.