If you have been affected by coronavirus (covid19) or its effect on the economy, there is a wide range of Coronavirus benefits support available through the Jobcentre Coronavirus Employment and benefits support.
Coronavirus benefits support for Employers and Employees
You can find information about the changes the government has brought in Coronavirus benefits support to people that may be already claiming a benefit, information if you need to claim benefits, or you are at risk of losing your job as a direct result of the coronavirus(covid-19) pandemic.
Also please note: You should not attend the jobcentre about Coronavirus benefits support unless you are specifically directed to do so for an exceptional purpose. However, jobcentre plus offices staff will still be available to offer Coronavirus benefits and support for our most vulnerable members of society, including those fleeing domestic abuse.
Use the links provided on this page to find the information you require.
The Department for Work and Pensions will continue to update Coronavirus benefits support information. Please check the official DWP website for the latest updates on the arrangements the Department for Work and Pensions is making to support those who are affected by a coronavirus.
For general government advice about coronavirus see Coronavirus: what you need to do
For health information and advice see the NHS pages on coronavirus
Furloughed?
If you and your employer both agree, your employer might be able to keep you on the payroll even if they are unable to operate or have no work for you to do because of coronavirus. This is known as being ‘on furlough’.
If you’re on furlough you’ll still be paid by your employer and will pay taxes from your income. You cannot undertake work for your employer while on furlough.
Your employer could pay 80% of your regular wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, up to a monthly cap of £2,500. They might choose to pay you more from their own accounts.
Your employer is responsible for claiming through the Coronavirus Job Retention Benefits Scheme on your behalf, and for paying you what you are entitled to. You cannot apply for the scheme yourself.
Are You Eligibile?
To be eligible for Coronavirus benefits support you must have been employed on 19 March 2020, and on your employer’s PAYE payroll before or on 19 March 2020. This means your employer must have made an RTI submission notifying payment in respect of you to HMRC on or before 19 March 2020.
If you were employed and on the payroll on 28 February 2020, but were made redundant or stopped working for your employer after that date, you can qualify for the scheme if your employer re-employs you and puts you on furlough.
You can be put on furlough by one employer and continue to work for another. You can also be put on furlough by more than one employer.
You can be put on furlough if you are on any type of contract, including a zero-hours contract or a temporary contract.
Other rules apply – read more about eligibility for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Claiming Coronavirus benefits support if you are furloughed
If being on furlough reduces your income, you may be eligible for Universal Credit
If you are eligible for Universal Credit, the earnings you receive whilst you are on furlough will be treated like any other earnings, and may affect how much Universal Credit you receive. Find out more about how earnings affect your payments
Please be aware that if you are already receiving tax credits or any of thebenefits that are replaced by Universal Credit, these will stop if you apply for Universal Credit, and cannot be started again.
you can apply for Universal Credit, this will have no effect on your employer.
If you were contracted to work less than 16 hours per week before you were placed on furlough, you may be eligible for New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA). You won’t be entitled to New Style JSA if you were contracted to work for 16 hours per week or more, even if your earnings have reduced whilst you’re on furlough.
If you are eligible for Coronavirus benefits support and the New Style JSA, the amount you receive may be affected by your earnings whilst on furlough.
Use benefits calculator to find out what benefits you might be entitled to.
Taking alternative work and Coronavirus benefits support
If your contract allows, you may undertake other employment while your current employer has placed you on furlough. This will not affect the grant that your current employer can claim under the scheme.
You could consider working in critical sectors – take a look at the new job help website to find out more about finding and applying for jobs in these vital industries. Many of these vacancies can be found on Find a jobtoo.
If you have applied for a job and you have been invited to attend an interview you should firstly try to do this over the phone or online. If this is not possible, you should attend the interview following latest government guidelines on social distancing and isolation. Any activities undertaken must be in line with the latest Public Health guidance during the coronavirus outbreak.
