Temporarily suspending face-to-face assessments for sickness and disability benefits will allow us to ensure we continue to provide a safety net for those in need, while removing unnecessary risk of exposure to this disease.”
Anyone who has a face-to-face assessment appointment scheduled from Tuesday 17 March onwards does not need to attend and will be contacted to discuss next steps and alternative arrangements, which could involve either telephone or paper-based assessments. DWP expect this measure will be in effect for the next 3 months but will be regularly reviewing the position in line with Public Health advice.
No further action is required by any claimant as a result of this change. They will be contacted with advice on next steps.
Anyone already receiving PIP, ESA, Universal Credit or Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit will continue to receive their current payments as normal.
Anyone can continue to make a new claim for benefit as usual.
Suspending face-to-face health assessments is a precautionary measure which reflects the Prime Minister’s decision to trigger the ‘delay’ phase. It is important to note that this change does not affect or change any existing public health advice.
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The government of Jersey releases advice for businesses and individuals in relation to COVID-19 outbreak 20 March 2020
The government of Jersey has published advice for businesses in relation to containing the spread of coronavirus, and the government support available to them during the outbreak.
Several Ministers have agreed a range of measures to mitigate the effect of coronavirus on the Island economy, which include:
• The deferral of the payment of Social Security contributions • The deferral of the payment of the Goods and Service Tax (GST) by GST-registered businesses • Payment deferrals where the government is a landlord to a local business (directly or through a government- owned company) To provide further detail, with immediate effect, businesses with less than 80 employees, and self-employed individuals can opt to defer their Social Security contribution payments for A and B quarters (payments due in April and July). For businesses with more than 80 employees, they can request a deferral of their social security contributions. Any questions should be directed to sscontributions@gov.je. With immediate effect, GST-registered businesses can choose to defer the payment of GST relating to returns ending 31 March, 30 April, 31 May and 30 June (quarterly and monthly). The payment of these figures will be deferred to no later than 12 months after the date they would have normally been due. Further information will be provided in due course, and the measure will be kept under review. The government is encouraging businesses that can afford to repay to do so, to avoid the requirement to repay at a later point in time. It is reiterated that this is not a cancellation of monies owed, but a deferral to assist businesses in managing their cash flows during these exceptional circumstances. Affected businesses and self-employed individuals should continue to file all returns and schedules as usual, but payment is not required until they choose to do so. No notification is required relating to payment deferments, unless the business has more than 80 employees and wishes to defer social security contributions. Businesses in this position should contact sscontributions@gov.je. Benefit entitlements will remain unaffected if businesses return their schedules at the usual time. Employees will be credited with a contribution record in the normal way, and self-employed individuals will have their record updated as usual.
It is expected that the measures will be in place until the end of June, but the government will review the situation on an ongoing basis.
The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals
Payroll: need to know
cipp.org.uk
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