Furlough scheme latest updates before launch: 8:00am, Monday 20th April 2020

HMRC remain on track to have the online claim portal up and running for 08:00 hours on Monday 20^th April 2020.

On Friday, HMRC published a 7-page step-by-step guide to the claim process along with updated guidance on how to calculate furloughed amounts for employees.

The step-by-step guide is here:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/880092/Coronavirus_Job_Retention_Scheme_step_by_step_guide_for_employers.pdf

The updated guidance on how to calculate the furlough amount for employees:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/work-out-80-of-your-employees-wages-to-claim-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

HMRC also emailed an estimated two million employers directly with these links.

Employers should read the step-by-step guidance, particularly to ensure that they have all the necessary claim information to hand as the claim portal does not have a save and return option – it must be completed in one session. Sessions will automatically time-out after 30 minutes of inactivity.

Applicants will need their Government Gateway ID, password, and online PAYE services enrolment activated (the claim can be undertaken by an Agent where the appropriate PAYE authorisation is held).

Employers will receive the furlough payment within six working days to the bank account nominated in the claim.  This timeframe should then permit the funds to be used by the employer before the April payroll run.

If you need help processing your applications for this scheme, please get in touch with us today via  or call us on 0161 767 1200.