Contribution credits for employees affected by lockdown

Thursday 17 September 2020

Employees with gaps in their contribution record due to reduced earnings during lockdown will be awarded contribution credits.

This change will protect the employee's contribution record and their benefit entitlement, without the need to pay a voluntary contribution of £20.52 for any missing weeks between 25 March and 19 June.

Employees will be eligible as long as they were present in Guernsey for at least part of each week where they have a gap in their record.

Employment & Social Security President Michelle Le Clerc said the Revenue Service has already identified over 1,200 eligible employees who have been credited automatically. 

"We know this year has been very difficult for many employees, bringing unexpected and unprecedented disruption to their working lives," she said. 

Employed people in Guernsey and Alderney with gaps in their contribution record due to having reduced earnings in the lockdown period 25 March to 19 June will be awarded contribution credits and will not have to pay to plug the gaps. https://t.co/eiTZt2ovNU pic.twitter.com/kRQ3afbdRi

— States of Guernsey (@Govgg) September 16, 2020

"We wanted to ensure those Revenue Service customers did not see deficiencies in their contribution records, where their employer was temporarily unable to provide them with paid work, or furloughed them at a reduced rate. This is why we are awarding customers contribution credits during the period of lockdown, to protect their benefit entitlement."

Anyone who has been asked to make a voluntary contribution for missing weeks, and believes they would be eligible for a Covid-19 credit, are asked to make contact with the employer team by email at schedules@gov.gg.