Furlough

Staysafe123

I have been offered to go onto the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme "furlough" from today.  I receive tax credits as a low earner.  I understand I do not have to advise the Gov.co.uk until after 8 weeks of being on furlough and this is subject to change.    Is there a max length of time my employer can leave me on "furlough". I work for a school and I fear I might not return the start of Autumn term (Sept 2020)

JReacher1

I believe it’s three months at the moment but the government will probably extend the scheme. 

Staysafe123

Thank you, just wondering how it will work with tax credits after the 8 weeks as they are based on working hours, does anyone have any info?

Margaret_100

Guidance for employees  who have been Furloughed on www.gov.uk states that those in or out of work can access benefits. It goes on to explain about the additional £20 week to be paid to those on UC and Working tax credits. Not as clear as it could be. The rules around telling HMRC about a change state working less than 30 hours( or combined 30 hours if you are a couple with child/children) are one month. To be on the safe side you could consider informing HMRC of your change. If your income has dropped by £2,500 year also tell them. This  can be done on line. Make sure you keep a copy. Worse case you could claim UC but think very carefully and get further advice as you would not be able to go back to Tax Credits. 

Hermann

There some suggestion that rules around working hours and tax credits will be suspended for 22 weeks though haven't seen anything official yet. Some are saying they can report lower hours and income to get max Tax credits for the 22 weeks.

Might be worth asking Tax credits if this is true, just make sure you know the dates the hours rules return as that would end your claim if still reporting lower hours at that point with no way of returning to TC.

calcotti

Staysafe123 said:

Thank you, just wondering how it will work with tax credits after the 8 weeks as they are based on working hours, does anyone have any info?

I would think government will be keeping this under review.
This has useful information
https://www.litrg.org.uk/tax-guides/coronavirus-guidance/coronavirus-employees-work-changes

m45hed80

I have just been told today by the company i work for that I am not entitled to furlough pay as I started my new job on 2nd march 2020, I believe I had to be employed by this company on 28th feb to receive 80%? anyway, I was employed by another company on 28th feb can I go back to that company to ask to be put on the furlough list? I have been told by my current company I am not entitled to any sort of pay at all! surely I must be entitled to something???? the company I work for have put all the other lads on the furlough scheme now and they are receiving the 80% wage! someone please help?

Jeremy535897

Apparently it will be possible to ask your ex-employer to furlough you, if you are not working for your new employer due to COVID-19, but the guidance hasn't been updated yet. They don't have to furlough you, though.

Rawling

I signed my contract on the 10th March and work are finishing us now because of COVID 19 next week because we have finished the essential work the rest can wait but say as I wasn’t employed on the 28th Feb I have missed the cut off date for furlough? Is there anything I can do?

m45hed80

your in the same boat as me, I am totally unsure of what I can actually receive surely we are entitled to something

Galloglass

surely we are entitled to something

You are entitled to any redundancy or holiday pay accrued. Failing that you apply for benefits. HMRC drew the line somewhere which was "what is the latest information on the HMRC computer" as that is what they can check against. 

Jeremy535897 above has explained it.