The new regulations state that any person who is classed as “extremely vulnerable and at very high risk of severe illness from coronavirus because of an underlying health condition, and who have been advised, in accordance with the guidance, to follow rigorously shielding measures” and those who have been advised to remain at home for at least 12 weeks will be entitled to SSP.
The above process is known as ‘shielding’, and the regulations mean that people are deemed incapable of work for the period in which they are shielding. An employee who cannot work as they are shielding due to coronavirus, will be entitled to receive SSP for every day that they are unable to work. Employees in this circumstance are entitled to SSP from day one of sickness, in line with how SSP will be paid to those self-isolating, or absent, due to coronavirus. Individuals must also meet the other eligibility requirements for SSP.
These new regulations have been released as employees who were shielding were not previously entitled to SSP and are intended as a safety net to give financial assistance to individuals where their employer chooses not to furlough them under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and does not have appropriate polices in place.
Find more information and guidance on coronavirus support measures for businesses, employers and employees on the activpayroll latest news page.
