Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme expands to cover more individuals

This new qualifying date, which was previously February 28 2020, means individuals who originally fell outside the scheme because they had recently changed jobs will now be covered.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) will subsidise 80 percent of workers’ wages up to £2,500 per month, as part of efforts to preserve jobs across the country as the UK seeks to curb the economic impact of the coronavirus.

HMRC has confirmed the intended launch date of the online service, that will allow businesses to make claims relating to the scheme, as April 20.

It has also stated that any businesses and agents that are authorised to act on behalf of clients for PAYE matters will have the ability to claim. Conversely, file-only agents and payroll bureaus will not be able to access the service for data protection reasons.

However, HMRC still require the support of file only agents even though they will not be able to access the service themselves. These agents are being asked to help their clients, as it is highly likely that they will have access to information that their clients will need in order to make their claims.

HMRC added that claims will only be made online, not by phone, and businesses will need the following in relation to each furloughed employee:

• National Insurance number;
• Salary, National Insurance and pension contribution information to allow businesses to correctly calculate the amount that they can claim back.

Businesses will be contacted with advice on what they need to do, by HMRC, when the portal opens.