Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) - IMPORTANT NOTICE

The online claims service for employers seeking to make applications for financial support via the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for furloughed employees, will be launched by HMRC on Monday 20th April.

From Monday, employers will be able to make claims directly. However, we recognise a number of clients may need support with the process, in terms of calculating their claim and in making their submission. 

With this in mind, we are offering clients a dedicated CJRS service whereby we can, as required, make your submission or calculate and submit your claim. This service is standalone and is not part of our clients’ usual payroll provision. 

We have outlined below the steps and process for making a claim (information provided by HMRC). Having reviewed this, we would suggest you consider how you manage your claim.

If you require further assistance and information on our CJRS service, please get in touch with your usual Streets Partner.

Making your claim

As you prepare to make a claim, please note:

• the online claim service will be launched on GOV.UK on 20‌‌ April 2020 – please do not try to access it before this date as it won’t be available
• the only way to make a claim is online – the service should be simple to use and any support you need, available on GOV.UK; this will include help with calculating the amount you can claim
• you can make the claim yourself even if you usually use an agent such as ourselves
• claims will be paid within 6 working days; you should not contact HMRC unless it is absolutely necessary
• HMRC cannot answer any queries from employees – they will need to raise these with their employer directly.

Information you will need before you make a claim

To complete your claim you will need to have the following before 20‌‌ April 2020:

• a Government Gateway (GG) ID and password – if you don’t already have a GG account, you can apply for one online or by going to GOV.UK and searching for 'HMRC services: sign in or register'
• be enrolled for PAYE online – if you aren’t registered yet, you can do so now or by going to GOV.UK.
• the bank account number and sort code you’d like us to use when HMRC pay your claim.
• the name and phone number of the person in your business for HMRC to call with any questions.
• the bank account number and sort code you’d like HMRC to use when they pay your claim.
• your Self-Assessment UTR (Unique Tax Reference), Company UTR or CRN (Company Registration Number).
• the total amount being claimed for all employees and the total furlough period.
• the following information for each furloughed employee you will be claiming for:

1. Name
2. National Insurance number
3. Claim period and claim amount
4. PAYE/employee number (optional)

• if you have fewer than 100 furloughed staff – you will need to input information directly into the system for each employee
• if you have 100 or more furloughed staff – you will need to upload a file with information for each employee; HMRC will accept the following file types: .xls .xlsx .csv. ods.

Update on an important change to the scheme relating to employee eligibility:

• you can claim for employees that were employed as of 19 March 2020 and were on your PAYE payroll on or before that date; this means that you will have made an RTI submission notifying us of payment of that employee on or before 19 March 2020
• employees that were employed as of 28 February 2020 and on payroll (i.e. notified to HMRC on an RTI submission on or before 28 February) and were made redundant or stopped working for you after that, and prior to 19 March 2020, can also qualify for the scheme if you re-employ them and put them on furlough. 

Guidance on GOV.UK is being regularly updated so please review it frequently by visiting GOV.UK