The Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme was brought back in mid-January with firms becoming eligible to make back dated claims under the scheme from the 21st December 2021.
The scheme allowed small and medium-sized businesses and employers reclaim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) paid for sickness absence due to COVID-19. The scheme covered up to two weeks’ SSP per eligible employee who had been off work because of COVID-19.
Employers were eligible for the scheme if their business is UK based, small or medium-sized and employs fewer than 250 employees. Under the scheme, the Government covered the cost of SSP for COVID-related absences.
As we are now moving to a stage of ‘living with COVID’, the government is closing the scheme for coronavirus related absences after 17th March 2022. Employers will have until 24 March 2022 to submit any final claims and/or amend claims they have already submitted.
We have highlighted to clients that have used the scheme that they should maintain records of staff absences and payments of SSP for three years after the date they receive the payment for a claim.
If you would like any advice on the Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme before it closes then please get in touch.