Job Retention Scheme Bonus

As part of the summer statement from the Chancellor a bonus scheme for the CJRS was also announced 

This is a one-off payment of £1,000 to employers that have used the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) for each furloughed employee who remains continuously employed until 31‌‌‌ ‌January 2021. The bonus will provide additional support to retain employees.

To be eligible, employees will need to:

  • earn at least £520 per month (above the Lower Earnings Limit) on average for November, December and January
  • have been furloughed by you at any point and legitimately claimed for under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
  • have been continuously employed by you up until at least 31‌‌‌ ‌January 2021

Which employers can claim?

An employer can apply for the bonus for any employees that were eligible for the furlough scheme and in respect of whom they made a claim for furlough pay. Where a claim for an employee was incorrectly made, a Job Retention Bonus will not be payable. All employers are eligible for the scheme including recruitment agencies, umbrella companies and those who have acquired employees following a TUPE transfer.

Which employees can you claim for?

  • employees that were furloughed and had a Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme claim submitted for them that meets all relevant eligibility criteria for the scheme
  • have been continuously employed by the relevant employer from the time of the employer’s most recent claim for that employee until at least 31 January 2021
  • have been paid an average of at least £520 a month between 1 November 2020 and 31 January 2021 (a total of at least £1,560 across the 3 months). The employee does not have to be paid £520 in each month, but must have received some earnings in each of the three calendar months that have been paid and reported to HMRC via RTI;
  • have up-to-date RTI records for the period to the end of January
  • are not serving a contractual or statutory notice period, that started before 1 February 2021, for the employer making a claim

What earnings can be included in the £520 per month average minimum earnings threshold?

Only earnings recorded through HMRC Real Time Information (RTI) records can count towards the £520 a month average minimum earnings threshold.

How to make the claim?

From February 2021, employers will be able to claim the Job Retention Bonus through GOV.UK. More detail about this process will be published in guidance by the end of September 2020.

What should employers do now?

Ensure that their records are up- to date including accurately reporting employee details via RTI. Ensure all furlough claims have been accurately submitted.

Further details are expected in September. Any queries can be directed to TravLaw via our Member Resource Centre

Correct as of 31 July 2020

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