SSP Changes for those that are shielding

gary83

See it’s changed for those that have been advised to stay at home are now entitled to SSP for upto 28 weeks

You can get £94.25 per week Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if you’re too ill to work. It’s paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks.

If you are staying at home because of COVID-19 you can now claim SSP. This includes individuals who are caring for people in the same household and therefore have been advised to do a household quarantine.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-guidance-for-employees

unforeseen

What are the criteria for household quarantine? Where does the advice come from.? Even on the page for extremely vulnerable (which I am) it only says

If you have someone else living with you, they are not required to adopt these protective shielding measures for themselves. They should do what they can to support you in shielding and they should stringently follow guidance on social distancing, reducing their contact outside the home. If you care for but don’t actually live with someone who is extremely vulnerable, you should still stringently follow guidance on social distancing.

Nothing about household quarantine. Not even mentioned in the letter. 

I believe household quarantine is only a factor for households where there are symptoms of Covid and not just shielding without symptoms. 
So person on lockdown can get up to 28 weeks but anybody in the same house that decides to self-isolate if no symptoms present in house is not

gary83

You can find out from NHS111 online, you fill out a questionnaire:

If you have COVID-19 or are advised to stay at home, you can get an ‘isolation note’ by visiting NHS 111 online, rather than visiting a doctor. For COVID-19 cases this replaces the usual need to provide a ‘fit note’ (sometimes called a ‘sick note’) after 7 days of sickness absence

p00hsticks

gary83 said:

You can find out from NHS111 online, you fill out a questionnaire:

If you have COVID-19 or are advised to stay at home, you can get an ‘isolation note’ by visiting NHS 111 online, rather than visiting a doctor. For COVID-19 cases this replaces the usual need to provide a ‘fit note’ (sometimes called a ‘sick note’) after 7 days of sickness absence

I'm not sure the extremely vulnerable even need that. Part of the letter they have received fron NHS England says

'This letter is evidence for your employer, to show that you cannot work outside the home. You do not need to get a fit note from your GP.  If you need help from the benefit system visit https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit' (page 3, section 5 'Support with daily living')

unforeseen

That's correct. Letter recipients have no need to get an isolation Note as the letter fulfils that requirement and makes no mention of household quarantine being needed. 

unforeseen

The only allusion to household isolation is in situations where symptoms are thought to be present and self isolation happens for that reason. 

Rich997

I'm a carer on 37.5 hour contract. I've had a liver transplant and I'm considered the most at risk and have to shield myself at home. My company say they can't Furlough me because the residents in the care home are local authority funded? Do I have to survive on SSP?

gary83

Your company is correct, furlough is entirely different, it doesn’t cover people who aren’t available for work due to personal circumstances be that medical reasons or childcare issues 

unforeseen

Having read the latest on SSP, my understanding it that the following groups can claim SSP
1. Those self-isolating with symptoms of Covid
2. Those who live in the same household as 1 above
Both of these for up to 14 days subject to household make up. Neither are entitled to furlough, however those in 2 can work from home as an alternative if the employer allows providing they don't get symptoms

3. Those who are in the shielding group for up to 28 weeks.  If this carries on for longer than that then I envisage the 28 weeks will be extended. As with 2 above, they would not be entitled to furlough but they can work from home if allowed whilst they do not have symptoms
Those without symptoms apart from those  in 2 above who, through choice, decide not to work will not be entitled to either SSP. For furlough they would need to meet the conditions for it. 

JessicaF_2

unforeseen said:

Having read the latest on SSP, my understanding it that the following groups can claim SSP
1. Those self-isolating with symptoms of Covid
2. Those who live in the same household as 1 above
Both of these for up to 14 days subject to household make up. Neither are entitled to furlough, however those in 2 can work from home as an alternative if the employer allows providing they don't get symptoms

3. Those who are in the shielding group for up to 28 weeks.  If this carries on for longer than that then I envisage the 28 weeks will be extended. As with 2 above, they would not be entitled to furlough but they can work from home if allowed whilst they do not have symptoms
Those without symptoms apart from those  in 2 above who, through choice, decide not to work will not be entitled to either SSP. For furlough they would need to meet the conditions for it. 

Have you got a link to to anything official confirming point 3? The new SSP amended regs were published today and they confirm that isolation does not extend to this shielding group, it is only for those in 1 and 2. So i can't see how those shielding can qualify for SSP. 

fionaemmerson

Please can someone provide a link to show where it says those who are shielding are entitled to SSP as my employer has just told me I have to take an unpaid sabbatical for this period.

Thanks