Got it! This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website More info MenuSearch Jobs Effects of the Corona Virus on Jobcentres Jobcentres throughout the UK have adopted and adjusted their operational models based on the prevailing conditions. Ideally, a jobcentre gives out advice on the available jobs and also facilitates unemployment benefits to British citizens. The centres operate under the directive of the Department for Work and Pensions {DWP}. So how have jobcentres been affected? Benefit Claims to Be Done Remotely Traditionally, benefit claimants were required to visit a jobcentre to apply for a benefit. However, to comply with the social distancing rule and to minimize the spread of the virus, claimants will be able to do this online or over a telephone call. This will be done based on trust. According to an employer adviser manager, jobcentres will trust that you have provided them with correct data and disburse the funds to you, so you do not suffer financially. You Will no Longer be Required to Produce a Fit Note A fit note is an official written statement from a doctor indicating that you are unfit to work. Since it is assumed that doctors will be busy battling the virus, this requirement has been waived. Also, work availability requirements and mandatory work search have been postponed to account for the period you will be sick. Universal Credit Applicants to be Assessed When the Situation Normalizes If you lose your job during this period or suspect to have been in contact with a sick person, you are allowed to apply for a universal credit of up to one month’s advance without physically going to a jobcentre. The same applies to sick and disabled claimants who find it impossible to visit a jobcentre for either Employment and Support Allowance or for Personal independence Payment. You will still receive your payment while your assessment is being rearranged. ESA to be Processed Immediately Usually, to get an Employment and Support Allowance and other financial support benefits, you would be required to wait for 7 days. However, if you are suffering from the Coronavirus, this request is processed immediately without you being physically assessed. Measures for Employees and Self-Employed People To ensure that employees and self-employed people do not suffer from financial loss when they take time off to prevent the spread of the virus, changes have been made on how Statutory Sick Pay is processed. Changes have also been made on how self-employed claimants can benefit from Universal Credit. These are: If you contract the Coronavirus you are eligible for Statutory Sick Pay instead of waiting for four days. These measures came in effect on 13th March 2020. You will be eligible for Statutory Sick pay if you do not work based on a government directive. This means, if you stay at home without any government directive, then you will not be paid. At the same time, your employer will use his/her discretion on the evidence to ask from you. Note: Since a fit note is no longer required, employees can prove that they are sick through NHS 111 online Self-Employed People If you are self-employed and you stay at home due to the coronavirus, you will not have an assumed level of income during the period of infection. You will also receive a taxable grant of 80% of your average monthly profits of over the last 24 months. Business Related Measures The government has announced fiscal and monetary measures to help employers stay in business. These measures include: Job retention schemes Deferred VAT policies Deferred income tax policies Sick pay relief packages If you have less than 250 employees, your business can reclaim statutory sick pay if an employee is not able to work due to the coronavirus. Keep in mind that Statutory sick pay will be up to 2 weeks per employee. Other government support measures include: A 12-month business rate holiday for hospitality, leisure and retail A business grant of £10,000 for all businesses A grant of £25,000 for businesses in the leisure, hospitality and retail sectors Loans of up to £5 million under the Business Interruption Loan Scheme The Department of Work and Pensions {DWP} has confirmed that no person will be penalized if they do not attend an appointment with a jobcentre. Jobcentres will, however, remain open to cater to the homeless people and those who cannot file a claim using a phone call. For more information on support available to businesses, visit: Gov.uk Business Support Getting an Isolation Note If you are infected with the virus, you can get an isolation note in two ways: Via the NHS website Via the NHS app Taking Your Children to School Though government regulations require all children to remain at home, if you are a critical worker, your children can still attend school. Vulnerable children such as a social worker and those who are 25 years and below and have an education plan can also go to school. Taking Care of Your Children According to government regulations, you have the right to have time off to deal with an emergency involving a child, spouse or a dependent. Though there is no set amount of time to take care of your dependent, the time set must be reasonable. When getting an annual or parental leave, the employer will decide whether to pay you as stipulated on your contract. If Affected by the Coronavirus You should be able to claim benefits. Other circumstances that allow you to claim benefits are: You have lost your job Your income has dropped because you can’t go to work You’re earning less and self-employed If You Have Been Fired Because of the Coronavirus If you have been fired from your job because of the virus, your employer can pay you 80% of your pay but not more than £2500 per month. Keep in mind this is only possible if your employer signs up with the government’s retention scheme. Are you Eligible for Statutory Sick Pay Statutory Sick Pay {SSP} is only eligible to employed people according to government guidance. You also qualify for SSP if you are following a government directive to self-isolate or if you have contracted the coronavirus. Other qualifications for an SSP are: You must be earning more than £118 a week You must not be a business owner You are self-isolating and can’t work from home You may also Qualify for an SSP if you are on zero-hours contract and have a job offer What Happens If I can’t Get SSP? If you can’t get SSP, you can qualify for new style Employment Support Allowance {ESA} if you have the virus. To qualify for this, you must have met the minimum National Insurance contributions for the years 2017-2018 up to 2020. Another way to get ESA is to care for a child who has being instructed to self-isolate. If You’ve not Claimed Benefits Before Even though you have not claimed benefits before, you can still claim SSP and Universal Credit if you meet the requirements. If you are struggling to pay your bills, check out what to do on citizen’s advice. If you are Already Claiming Benefits Due to the coronavirus, you can still get more money. If your income has dropped and you cannot pay for rent, notify your local council immediately. If You are Working on Tax Credits To get a tax credit, your income must fall by £2,500 or more within a tax year. Keep in mind if you claim your salary will drop by £2,500 and it does not, you will have to pay back any extra money you get. To avoid owing the government, it is crucial you claim Universal Credit instead. Note: You won’t get working tax credit if you claim Universal Credit Have jobcentres been affected by the virus? Yes. Demand for jobs has significantly reduced while the demand for claims has shot up the roof. It is not clear when the UK will become pandemic free, but jobcentres are helping to reduce the spread of the virus by advising claimants to stay at home. Please visit Understanding Universal Credit for regular official updates. Tweet What is the Jobcentre Plus? A layman's guide to the Job Centre Plus and it's services for job seekers and employers. What is Income Support? Income Support is available to UK residents aged 16 to 59 who unable to seek full time work. What is Job Seekers Allowance? Jobseeker's allowance is the benefit paid to unemployed people who are actively looking for work. What are Job Fairs? Job Fairs provide a great opportunity to meet many local employers. JobCentre Plus Offices Where to find your local JobCentre Plus offices. What is Pathways to Work? Pathways to Work helps people with disabilities or health conditions that make it difficult for them to find work. About Disability Employment Advisors If you have a health condition or a disability that affects your ability to work, JobCentre Plus offers a service for disabled workers by putting them in touch with a Disability Employment Advisor (DEA). Whether you have just lost your job or ha... How to Contact Jobcentre Plus JobCentreGuide is an independent guide to JobCentre Plus services and NOT in any way affiliated with JobCentre Plus or other government bodies. If you have any queries or want to ask a question or make an appointment, you will need to contact th... Help with moving from benefits to work – Getting Help Your Jobcentre Plus work coach can help you by giving advice on the support available when returning back to work. Help with moving from benefits to work – Starting Your Own Business Your Jobcentre Plus work coach at your local Jobcentre Plus can tell you about resources which can help you to start your own business. Help with moving from benefits to work – support when you start working When you go back to work, this does not mean that you have to give up all of your benefits. Some benefits may carry on and there may be others available to you once you have started working. Help with moving from benefits to work – Work Experience and Volunteering Help with moving from benefits to work – Work Experience and Volunteering Help with moving from benefits to work – Job Search Programmes Jobcentre Plus can provide support to help you prepare for, find, and stay in work. They can give you training, guidance and work placement programmes, and schemes such as work experience, volunteering and job trialling. They can also support yo... Resources for Employers If you are an employer seeking advice on finding the right employees, we can help! Please browse our articles below for tips on how to scout new talent. What is Universal Credit? Are you of pension age, jobless and wondering what the future is going to look like? Don't worry, you can start securing it by applying for Universal Credit or a Jobseeker's Allowance. The option you choose will mainly depend on your National In... © 2021 Copyright Job Centre Guide • About Us • Privacy Policy • Sitemap All Rights Reserved. No part of this web site may be copied without permission. Job Centre Guide is an independent website and not connected to The Department for Work and Pensions.