The COVID-19 Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme
What is the Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme?
This support is available to businesses who are paying sick pay to employees who are absent due to COVID-19.
Businesses will be able to reclaim expenditures for any employees who has claimed SSP due to COVID-19 if the correct qualifying procedure has been implemented.
The repayment will cover up to 2 weeks starting from the first day of sickness, if an employee is unable to work because:
- They have coronavirus,
- They cannot work because they are self-isolating at home,
- They are shielding in line with public health guidance,
- They have been notified by the NHS to self-isolate because they have come into contact with someone with COVID-19,
- They have been notified by the NHS to self-isolate before surgery.
Employees do not have to provide a ‘fit note’ for you to make a claim.
Guidance from HMRC is available here
When will this scheme end?
The government have not announced an end-date for this scheme. We will keep you updated as more information emerges.
How does the SSP Rebate Scheme fit with the Scottish Agricultural Wages Order?
At this moment in time, there is no scheme in place which will cover the enhanced minimum rates of sick pay which is payable to agricultural workers in Scotland.
NFU Scotland has asked the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board and Scottish Government to consider extending the rebate scheme to include the Scottish Agricultural Sick Pay (ASP), which is compulsory for agricultural workers, in parity with the SSP Rebate Scheme.
NFU Scotland continues to highlight the significant minimum difference between ASP and SSP and are hopeful a similar scheme will be introduced.
Where can if find out more information about the Scheme?
HMRC have created a list of helpful links about the SSP Rebate Scheme, available here