HMRC have now published guidance to help employers make a claim when the Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme claim portal goes live today Monday 20 April 2020 at 8am.
HMRC have produced this step by step guidance on how to make a claim. There is also a calculator to help you work out your claim. The system can process up to 450,000 applications per hour and employers should receive the money within 6 working days of making an application. To receive payment by 30 April, you will need to complete an application by 22 April. Please keep a note or print-out of your claim reference number as you won’t receive a confirmation SMS or email.
Commenting on news that applications are now open for the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, Nova Fairbank, Head of Policy for Norfolk Chambers said:
“The opening of the Job Retention scheme is an important milestone for Norfolk businesses, who can now begin to access the cash they need to pay their staff and protect livelihoods. We are recommending that employers take the time to read the guidance in advance and ensure their claim is as accurate as possible to ensure that their claim is processed quickly. Any errors in submission are likely to result in significant delays in payment.
“The government deserves credit for the speed, scale and flexibility of its response to the challenges facing our business communities. The focus should now be on delivering this support to firms on the ground.
“The British Chambers network research indicates that two-thirds of firms have furloughed some portion of their workforce. With April’s payday approaching, it is essential that the application process is smooth and that payments are made as soon as possible. Any delay would exacerbate the cash crisis many companies are facing and could threaten jobs and businesses.”
