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MERA and Salary Support schemes extended

Mon, 25 Jan 2021

Financial support measures via the Manx Earnings Replacement Allowance (‘MERA’) and Salary Support Scheme (‘SSS’) have both been extended.

It was announced on Thursday that, as of 00.01 on Saturday 23rd January, some businesses are now able to return to work including outdoor trades and services such as construction. Dependent on continuing lack of community transmission, remaining lockdown measures are set to be lifted from 1st February, which will allow all workplaces to resume.

Those people who have been able to return to work over the weekend, or who will be returning to work over the next few days, will be paid MERA to Sunday 31st January. For the vast majority of customers, this will mean that they will be paid MERA for a total of 3 weeks, as originally anticipated.

However, recognising that some people will not be able to return to work straightaway, Treasury is extending MERA by 2 weeks, to 14th February with the last date for registration being the 8th February.  Anyone who becomes newly unemployed on or after 8th February will not be eligible for MERA and should claim jobseeker’s allowance or other benefits as appropriate.

The Salary support Scheme, which is aimed at assisting businesses to pay wages, is also due to end on the 31st January for the majority of businesses. This scheme has now been extended to enable all businesses who are eligible to apply for January to also apply for support for 1st February to 28th February 2021. Any business applying for the scheme for February will need to evidence a 25% downturn in revenue for the full 4 week period.
 

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