The Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme has allowed small and medium-sized businesses and employers reclaim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) paid for sickness absence due to COVID-19. The online service initially closed for new claims after 30 September 2021.
However, following the Omicron wave, the online claims service was brought back in mid-January with firms becoming eligible to make backdated claims under the scheme from 21 December 2021.
The scheme covers up to 2 weeks’ SSP per eligible employee who has been off work because of COVID-19. Employers are 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 will cover the cost of SSP for Covid-related absences.
In line with the government’s measures to move to a new phase of ‘living with COVID’, the scheme will close for coronavirus related absences after 17 March 2022. Employers will have up to and including 24 March 2022 to submit any final claims and / or amend claims they’ve already submitted.
Employers should maintain records of staff absences and payments of SSP for 3 years after the date they receive the payment for a claim. Note, employees do not need to provide a GP fit note in order for an employer to make a claim.