SSP Rebate Scheme due to end this month

The Statutory Sick Pay (‘SSP’) Rebate Scheme is set to end at the end of September 2021.

The scheme was introduced to support employers during the pandemic by allowing certain small and medium size employers to reclaim some, or all, of their SSP costs from HMRC.

Under the scheme employers can reclaim up to two weeks’ Statutory Sick Pay paid starting from the first qualifying day of sickness, provided that an employee is unable to work because they:

• have coronavirus symptoms
• are self-isolating because someone they live with has symptoms
• are self-isolating because they’ve been notified by the NHS or public health bodies that they’ve come into contact with someone with coronavirus
• have been advised by letter to shield because they’re clinically extremely vulnerable and at very high risk of severe illness from coronavirus
• have been notified by the NHS to self-isolate before surgery for up to 14 days

Businesses must submit or amend all claims for periods of sickness before 1 October 2021 by 31 December 2021.

The scheme closes on 30 September 2021. After this date, all employers will be required to pay any absences in full and will no longer have the ability to claim these back from Government.

Aspire Comment:

The removal of the scheme may be daunting for some employers who are still experiencing major staff absences due to the Coronavirus pandemic and will now need to fund SSP independently despite being affected by the ongoing pandemic.  

Please get in touch with one of our advisors on 0121 445 6178 or email enquire@aspirepartnership.co.uk for a chat to see how we can support you and your business.