The COVID-19 Statutory Sick Pay – SSP Rebate Scheme was launched by the government in May 2020, as part of a package of COVID-related financial support for employers. This scheme is due to close at the end of September.
The scheme had been created to enable small to medium sized employers to reclaim statutory sick pay (SSP) costs that have been caused by absences due to coronavirus. Statutory Sick Pay costs are usually paid entirely by the employer, however this scheme has allowed qualifying employers, who have less than 250 employees (as of 28th February 2020), to reclaim up to 2 weeks’ SSP per employee if they are unable to work because they have COVID-19 or are self-isolating.
The scheme will however be closing on the 30th September, so that as from 1st October all employers will again be responsible for covering the full cost of statutory sick pay. Employers have until the 31st December 2021 to file or amend any claims of SSP in relation to coronavirus-related absences prior to the end of September 2021.
You can read more about the government’s SSP rebate scheme here.
27th September 2021