Furlough Claims Reaching Deadline

Following the government’s further extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the deadline for claiming under the November claim period is nearly upon us and falls on 14 December 2020.

The timescales for claiming are tight and generally fall within two weeks of the end of the claim period. Below is a useful reminder to employers of the dates by which all furlough claims must be submitted to HMRC, in respect of each relevant claim period:

 

However, if the above deadline has been missed and there is a “reasonable excuse for failing to make a (furlough) claim in time”, HMRC may still accept a claim. Examples of reasonable excuses may include:

  • An unexpected stay in hospital that prevents an individual from dealing with a claim;
  • A serious or life-threatening illness, including Coronavirus related illnesses, which prevents an individual from making a claim (and no one else could claim instead);
  • A period of self-isolation preventing an individual from making a claim (and no one else could make the claim instead);
  • A partner/close relative died shortly before the claim deadline;
  • Computer/software failed just before or whilst an individual was preparing an online claim;
  • Service issues with HMRC online services;
  • A fire, flood or theft preventing an individual from making a claim;
  • Unpredicted postal delays preventing an individual from making a claim;
  • Delays related to a disability preventing an individual from making a claim; and
  • A HMRC error preventing an individual from making a claim.

If your business needs any assistance with the CJRS or any other employment issues, please contact our Employment Team on 01619414000 or email us at lawyers@myerson.co.uk.