COVID-19 and Children – Children's Law Centre

My child is an Apprentice, can they be furloughed?

inico Admin — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 12:32:54 +0000

Yes, apprentices can be furloughed in the same way as other employees and your child can also continue to train whilst on furlough.

Their employer must pay them at least the Apprenticeship Minimum Wage/National Living Wage/National Minimum Wage for all the time they have spent training. This means that for time spent training your child’s employer must cover any shortfall between the amount they can claim for your child’s wages through the furlough scheme and their appropriate minimum wage.

Will my child’s EMA Bonus Payment be affected by COVID-19?

inico Admin — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 11:01:14 +0000

No. Those students who sign Part 2 of their EMA Learning Agreement by 21st December 2020 will be eligible for consideration for the January Bonus, whilst those who sign Part 2 after 21st December will not.

The actual release of the January Bonus Payment will, however, continue to be dependent on the student meeting the terms of Part 2 of their EMA Learning Agreement.

Will COVID-19 affect my child’s EMA payment being backdated to the start of term?

inico Admin — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 10:59:39 +0000

For academic year 2020/21 the period for applicants to be considered for backdated EMA is being extended.

Usually, if students submit their EMA application to the Student Loans Company before 30th September, they will have their weekly allowance payments backdated to the beginning of term. However, for the academic year 2020/21, students who submit their application before the 3rd December 2020 will have their weekly allowance backdated to the beginning of term.

Any applications which are submitted after 3rd December 2020 will only be backdated to the date that it was received by the Student Loans Company.

Please note that the EMA application packs for academic year 2020/21 were printed prior to the impact of COVID-19, and therefore some printed EMA forms refer to 30th September to qualify for backdated weekly allowance payments.

My child did not receive their EMA payment as the school did not confirm their attendance; will they be entitled to a back payment?

inico Admin — Mon, 04 May 2020 15:02:43 +0000

Yes – students will receive a back payment of any EMA support owed to them once the situation has been rectified. You should contact the school or college directly to ensure that they have provided the correct information to the EA to ensure reinstatement of payments and back payment.

Can my family use a foodbank if I lose my job because of COVID-19?

inico Admin — Mon, 04 May 2020 11:18:22 +0000

Yes, everyone is entitled to use a food bank whether you are employed or unemployed.

My child has been furloughed; are they guaranteed their job back again after lockdown?

inico Admin — Mon, 04 May 2020 11:17:24 +0000

Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that your child’s employer will keep them on after the furlough scheme ends. This will depend on the circumstances of the individual business/employer.

The hope is that by the time the Furlough scheme ends, restrictions will have lifted and your child can return to work where their employer can start paying full wages again.

My child is on a zero hours contract; are they entitled to be furloughed?

inico Admin — Mon, 04 May 2020 11:16:23 +0000

If your child is on a zero hours contract and they are taxed through PAYE, then they should be entitled to be furloughed. Their 80% payment will be based on the higher of:

The amount they earned in the same month a year ago; OR
Their average earnings over the last 12 months if they have worked there for 12months. If they haven’t then it will be calculated using their average earnings over the amount of time they have worked for the company.

Your child will need to discuss furlough with their employer, or the relevant agency where applicable. If they are put on furlough, they won’t be able to do any work for their employer or on their behalf until the furlough ends.

How does Furlough work?

inico Admin — Mon, 04 May 2020 11:14:38 +0000

If your child has been on their employer’s payroll from 30th October 2020 then the government will pay their employer 80% of their salary, up to £2,500/month.

Your child’s employer can choose to top up their wage to the full 100% but they don’t have to.

Your child cannot do any work for their employer, or on their behalf, until furlough ends.

My child has been furloughed. What does this mean?

inico Admin — Mon, 04 May 2020 11:13:00 +0000

Furlough is basically a job retention scheme that means your child can still get paid 80% of their wages if their job has been affected by COVID-19. It essentially means their job is being put on standby until normality resumes and they can go back to work. If they are put on furlough, they won’t be able to do any work for their employer or on their behalf until furlough ends.

Where can my child get help about benefits if they can’t work because of COVID-19?

inico Admin — Mon, 04 May 2020 11:11:42 +0000

You can contact Advice NI for more detailed information and advice on how COVID-19 might affect your job or benefits. Contact details and advice are available through the Advice NI website.