Funding applications open for more Jersey businesses and self-employed

More local businesses and self-employed islanders can now apply for emergency Covid-19 support from the government.

Bosses can claim up to £1,600 per worker, per month, under phase two of the payroll scheme.

Eligible employers can claim for a refund of 80% of the first £2,000 of their employees’ wages, up to a maximum payment of £1,600 per month, per person.

Business owners, sole-traders and partners who are liable for Class Two Social Security contributions, can receive the same amount of support, but based on their earnings in 2019.

You can claim for:

  • Employees who were named on the March 2020 Social Security contributions schedule

  • Full-time and part-time workers, even if they also pay Class 1 contributions through another employer

  • Employees on permanent, fixed-term and zero-hour contracts who have been paid their agreed wages during the month claimed for

  • Employees who are excluded from paying Contributions because of their age or because they have an Election

  • Employees who have just come back from sickness or maternity leave or other unpaid leave in line with a pre-planned return

  • Staff who you re-employ, who were made redundant before 1 April 2020 in the early stages of the COVID-19 disruption

  • Employees working fewer than eight hours per week who were not on your contributions schedule if you can provide payslips for January, February and March 2020

You cannot claim for:

  • Staff employed through a third-party, such as an employment agency or a contractor.

  • Anyone who you pay more than £4,558 for the month you're claiming for (£54,696 per year)

The Government previously pledged to help up to 27,000 eligible workers by providing up to £138 million to pay wages.

Should disruption continue, due to the coronavirus lockdown measures, the scheme may be extended past its current end date of 30 June 2020.

Businesses will be required to apply every month for support.

New businesses and self-employed people who have started trading in2020 can also get help.

Employers are expected to pay a minimum of 20% on top of the subsidy, although, the government knows this won't be possible for some.

Therefore, its included a special exemption scheme, which is for if a business cannot meet this cost due to no cash-flow or workingcapital being available.

The online application form and more detailed information, including eligibility, guidance and comprehensive FAQs, can be found here.