20 April 2020

This update is about how to use the government’s job retention scheme which opened for applications today. The scheme has now been extended to the end of June. 

You can now claim for 80% of your employees’ wages 

The government has published a step-by-step guide to claiming for your employees’ wages through the coronavirus job retention scheme. 

Please note: 

  • Take the time to read the instructions in the step-by-step guide – don’t start your online claim until you have gathered all the information you need as set out in the guide.
  • As well as the step-by-step guide which you should read first, the government has also published a calculator to help you work out your claim.
  • Once you have made your claim you will NOT receive a confirmation email. You will see a claim reference number on the screen that you should make a note of.
  • Tell your employees that you have made a claim and that they do not need to do anything else.
  • HMRC will verify your claim and you should receive funds within six working days.
  • Keep all your paperwork, records and calculations relating to the scheme for five years.

 To access the system and make a claim you will need: 

  • A Government Gateway ID and password.
  • An active PAYE enrolment.

 If you do not have these, you can register for them at:

 Don’t fall for scammers and fraudsters 

Remember: use only the government’s official website to apply for this scheme. 

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