Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme portal is now live

The online portal, allowing eligible employers to claim for furloughed employees’ wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) is now live. However, before you make a claim, there are steps that must be taken and details you must have to hand.

In our previous article, we put together a summary of how the scheme will work and what you need to do prior to making a claim. You can find our Key Facts downloadable factsheet here. This includes a list of information needed before you can make a claim through the online portal.

HMRC have also issued a step by step guide for employers which you can find here.

Since the CJRS was announced, HMRC have provided further information and made some amendments to the scheme, most notably the change in the payroll date. Initially employees needed to be on the PAYE payroll scheme by 28 February, but this has since been updated to 19 March. Therefore, employees can now be placed on furlough if they were on the employers PAYE payroll on or before 19 March 2020.

HMRC also announced that employers with less than 100 furloughed staff will be required to enter details of each employee they are claiming for directly onto the system. Whilst employers with over 100 furloughed staff will need to upload a file, rather than directly inputting the information.

Once you have the information required, you can access the new online portal here. You will need to have your Government Gateway login and an active PAYE enrolment.

HMRC have advised that they will verify claims and that employers will receive funds in six working days. All information should be retained, including your claim reference number.

If you require assistance in making a claim, or calculating the amount you can claim for, please get in touch with your usual EQ contact or call one of our offices.