15 April 2020

CORONAVIRUS: Statutory Sick Pay

Read our specialist SSP article below to discover the changes in claiming Statutory Sick Pay due to COVID-19..

Are there any changes to claiming Statutory Sick Pay?

Statutory sick pay (SSP) is normally payable from the fourth day of absence, however if you are self-isolating because of COVID-19 from 13th March, you can now claim SSP from day 1. This includes individuals who are caring for people self-isolating in the same household and are in quarantine.

The rate of SSP is currently £94.25 per week and it is paid by employers for up to 28 weeks.

From Friday 20th March onwards, those who have COVID-19 or are advised to self-isolate will be able to obtain an “isolation note” by visiting NHS 111 online and completing an online form.

Small employers can reclaim 2 weeks SSP

If you are a small or medium-sized business, you may be entitled to reclaim the costs of SSP for sickness absence due to COVID-19.

This refund will cover up to two weeks’ SSP per eligible employee who are either ill or been told to self-isolate because of COVID-19.

Employers with fewer than 250 employees will be eligible. The size of an employer will be determined by the number of people they employed as of 28th February 2020. Employers will be able to reclaim expenditure for any employee who has claimed SSP as a result of COVID-19.

Employers should maintain records of staff absences, but employees will not need to provide a GP fit note.

Questions? We can help!

Get in touch with us today and let us help you and your business during these difficult times. Contact our Director, Nick Bonnello, directly on 0115 964 8860 or email him at nickb@rwbca.co.uk to utilise your free, 30 minute consultation and find out how we can help you across all areas of your business.

The views provided in this article are for general information purposes only. Nothing in this article represents advice of any nature whatsoever. Accordingly, RWB CA Limited does not accept any liability or responsibility for the information contained in this article or any decision or other action that may be taken in reliance upon the information contained within it. RWB CA Limited accepts no responsibility for any errors of fact or opinion and assumes no obligation to provide you with any changes to its assumptions.