Use of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme by direct payment holders who employ people for their care

New guidance from the Department of Health and Social Care

New guidance has been issued in relation to how the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) can be used by direct payment holders who employ people for their care.

In 'Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: people receiving direct payments', the Department of Health and Social Care highlights that all direct payment holders in the care sector with a PAYE scheme on or before 19 March 2020 can make use of the CJRS to furlough employees.

However, it advises that, wherever possible, care should continue to be delivered and paid for in accordance with usual arrangements, and that the CJRS should only be used in exceptional circumstances such as - 

• when a personal assistant (PA) or carer needs to shield due to coronavirus (COVID-19);
• when a PA lives with somebody who needs to shield;
• when a PA or carer has caring responsibilities; and
• when a direct payment recipient is shielding and prefers not to be visited by their PA but to receive temporary support from family (paid or unpaid).

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: people receiving direct payments is available from gov.uk