Update on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Update on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS)

It’s nearly a month since the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) opened and many businesses will be preparing to make another claim in order to receive money by the end of May.

To ensure you receive a payment by the end of May, you need to apply by Wednesday 20‌‌ May.

When you make a claim through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, you’ll receive the money within six working days.

After making a claim ensure you keep all records and calculations in case HMRC need to contact you to discuss them.

Update on the scheme

On the 12^th of May 2020, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced that the CJRS scheme will be extended until the end of October. The scheme will continue in its current form until the end of July 2020.

From the 1^st of‌‌ August through to the end of October the Government will introduce more flexibility aimed at allowing employers to bring their furloughed employees back to work part-time. Employers will be expected to contribute towards paying employees’ wages while still receiving support from the scheme.

These measures will apply across all regions and sectors in the UK economy, and HMRC expect to publish more details of how this will work by the end of May.

Guidance and support

In the meantime, more information is available online to help you apply – go to GOV‌.UK and search ‘Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme’.

Online guidance has recently been updated with:

more information for furloughed employees
the work furloughed company directors can undertake
what time periods you can claim for
more detail on non-discretionary payments, holiday pay and record keeping.

Protect yourself from scams

Stay vigilant about scams, which may mimic government messages as a way of appearing authentic and unthreatening. Don’t give out private information or reply to text messages, and don’t download attachments in emails you weren’t expecting. Search ‘scams’ on GOV‌.UK for information on how to recognise genuine HMRC contact. You can also forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and texts to 60599.