"The Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme online service is now available. The scheme was originally announced at the March 2020 Budget as part of a package of support for employers.Employers with 250 or fewer employees can apply to HMRC to recover the costs of paying up to two weeks coronavirus-related SSP. Although the online portal is only just being released, the scheme has a retrospective effect to 13 March 2020 (16 April 2020 for employees shielding because of COVID-19). Employees do not need to submit a fit note to be eligible, but employers should ask for an isolation note from NHS 111 or the NHS or GP letter telling them to stay at home for 12 weeks because they need to shield. Employers are required to keep records for three years after a claim.
"The scheme provides welcomed support for small and medium-sized employers who have been severely impacted by COVID-19. Following the unprecedented assistance offered by the government to help support businesses, it is unsurprising that HMRC has been inundated with claims. It will be essential for employers to keep clear and accurate records for the requisite period to reduce the risk from an enquiry should HMRC scrutinise the claim in the future. Employers should be mindful that it is not possible to claim for an employee under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for the same period of time as claiming under the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme and it is clear that there will be an audit of grants made in the future."
"The scheme provides welcomed support for small and medium-sized employers who have been severely impacted by COVID-19. Following the unprecedented assistance offered by the government to help support businesses, it is unsurprising that HMRC has been inundated with claims. It will be essential for employers to keep clear and accurate records for the requisite period to reduce the risk from an enquiry should HMRC scrutinise the claim in the future. Employers should be mindful that it is not possible to claim for an employee under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for the same period of time as claiming under the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme and it is clear that there will be an audit of grants made in the future."
