JRS portal goes live

Employers can apply for the grant through the HMRC’s new online portal, with the Government saying the money for validated claims should be received within six working days.

The JRS, which was announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak last month, allows employers to claim for a cash grant of up to 80% of a furloughed employee's wages, capped at £2,500 a month.

Initially the scheme was scheduled to be open for three months; backdated from the 1 March, and lasting until the end of May. 

However, last week it was extended by one month​​ until the end of June, to reflect the continuing social distancing measures imposed by the Government.

The Government has added that future decisions on whether the JRS will be extended again will take into account further developments on the wider measures to reduce the spread of Coronavirus, as well as the responsible management of the public finances.

According to research conducted by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), two-thirds of UK firms have furloughed some portion of their workforce as a result of the ongoing Coronavirus crisis. 

“With April’s payday approaching, it is essential that the application process is smooth and that payments are made as soon as possible,” says BCC director general Adam Marshall.

“Any delay would exacerbate the cash crisis many companies are facing and could threaten jobs and businesses.

The link to the online portal can be found here​.