The government is reintroducing the Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme (SSPRS). This will be a temporary scheme to support employers facing heightened levels of sickness absence due to COVID-19. The SSPRS will refund small and medium-sized employers’ COVID-related SSP costs for up to two weeks per employee.
Employers will be eligible for the scheme if:
1. They are UK-based.
2. They employed fewer than 250 employees as of 30 November 2021.
3. They had a PAYE payroll system as off 30 November 2021.
4. They have already paid their employees’ COVID-related SSP.
Employers will be able to claim the costs for up to two weeks of SSP per employee that has to take time off because of COVID-19.
This two-week limit will be reset so an employer will be able to claim up to two weeks per employee regardless of whether they have claimed under the previous scheme for that employee.
Please also remember to advise your employee they may well be entitled to: Test and Trace Support Payment
You might be able to get a payment of £500 if you’re on a low income and meet all these conditions:
- you’re employed or self-employed
- you, or a child you’re the parent or guardian of, has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), or been told you or the child are a close contact by NHS Test and Trace
- you cannot work from home and will lose income by self-isolating or staying at home to care for the child
- you’re not exempt from self-isolating
How do you apply? Apply through your council
Search for your local council to apply on their website. They’ll tell you what evidence you need to apply, but you might need:
- a payslip if you’re employed, or evidence of your Self Assessment tax returns if you’re self-employed
- a bank statement
- your NHS Test and Trace account ID, or evidence your child has been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace
