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Update - Friday 15th January 2021



Good morning,

Diane Dodds announced a grant scheme to provide support to directors of limited companies, the scheme is worth £20m and initially offers grants of £1,000. In this update we have outlined the scheme and eligibility criteria for the scheme below. We have summarised the support available to the non-essential businesses that remain closed and also looked at up-coming closing dates for funding applications.

Limited Company Director's Support Scheme

There has been limited support given to directors of limited companies to date and this scheme will provide an initial one-off taxable grant of £1,000 to eligible directors. There is £20m allocated to the fund and, at scheme closure, any underspend will be distributed equally amongst approved applicants in the form of a top-up grant, up to a maximum of £3,500.

Note that directors will only be eligible for one grant regardless of the number of directorships held.

Applications will open on 21st January 2021.

Eligibility:
  • You are a resident of Northern Ireland.
  • You are a Person with Significant Control (PSC) for the company/companies listed in your application
  • You must work in the company/companies named in your application.
  • At 31 March 2020 at least 50% of your income came from your director’s salary and dividends.
  • If you are a director of more than one company then your salary and dividends from all companies must represent at least 50% of your total income.
  • Your projected salary and dividends from the company for the 2020/21 financial year is 40% lower than it would have been in the absence of coronavirus. If applicable, this should include any furloughed income received.
  • Your total projected taxable income for 2020/21 is less than £50k

Businesses must have been impacted by reduced demand and are currently trading and intend to continue to trade. Directors of businesses that have temporarily had to cease trading due to covid-19 will be eligible for the grant.

Further information is available here.

Support for businesses that have to close due to extension of restrictions

Localised Restrictions Support Scheme

Businesses that have been successful in their application to this grant do not need to reapply for the period of the extension to restrictions as payments will be made automatically. If any business did not previously apply for the grant, the application process remains open.

The fund provides grants of between £800 and £1,600 per week depending on the Net Annual Value of the property.

Covid Restrictions Business Support

Part A and Part B have reopened for applications. If you have already applied for a grant for either of these grants you do not have to reapply as support will be automatically be issued to successful application for the period up to 5 February 2021.

Part A provides a grant of £600 per week for businesses that have been required to close under the restrictions and who are not eligible for the Localised Restrictions Support Scheme

Part B provides grants of between £300 and £800 per week (depending on whether they pay business rates and the Net Annual Value of the property) to business that are not named in the restrictions but which supplies goods or services to such a business, or is reliant upon such a business being open and fully operational in order to trade.

Wet Pubs Business Support Scheme

This scheme is open to wet pubs whose premises were required to close during the period from 4 July to 23 September 2020. Businesses will receive a one-off payment of between £800 and £1,600 per week.

There is no application form for this grant as a pre-eligible check will be carried out and businesses who are considered eligible will receive an email with a form to compete by 22 January 2021. This form must be completed and returned within 5 days of receipt. We imagine that there will be cases of emails going to spam folders so pub owners should keep an eye on their emails over the next few weeks.

Eligibility:
  • The business is eligible for the Localised Restrictions Support Scheme.
  • The business was closed for at least one full week during the period 4 July to 23 September 2020.
  • Wet pubs that have an attached off licence business are eligible for support if the wet pub element of their business was closed.
  • Businesses must have been actively trading before they were forced to close due to COVID-19 lockdown/restrictions.

Further information is available here.

Key deadlines coming up

The closing date for the third grant under the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme is 20th January 2021. The third taxable grant is worth 80% of your average monthly trading profits, paid out in a single instalment covering 3 months’ worth of profits, and capped at £7,500 in total.

Newly Self-Employed Support Fund closes at 6pm on 5th February 2021. The Newly Self-Employed Support Scheme (NSESS) will offer an initial one-off taxable grant of £3,500 to newly self-employed individuals (sole traders and those in partnerships).

The Childcare Sustainability Fund (Phase 2 - Sep-Dec 2020) closes for applications at 5pm on 5th February 2021. The fund provides a financial contribution to providers to assist with the additional costs of operating within Dept of Health guidance, and, to support financial viability due to reduced demand for services.

Childcare Temporary Closure Support Fund closes for applications at 5pm on 5th February 2021. The fund provides support for settings that have had to close (fully or pods) due to covid-19.

The Sports Sustainability Fund closes for applications at 4pm on Wednesday 20th January 2021. This fund is aimed at minimising the financial stress on the sports sector due to lost income as a result of COVID-19 lockdown and ongoing restrictions.

If you deferred your second self-assessment payment in July, this must be repaid by 31st January 2021. If are unable to pay in full by then, you can set up a Time to Pay instalment arrangement.

If you deferred VAT between 20th March and 30th June 2020 you can either pay the deferred VAT in full on or before 31st March 2021, or, opt in to the VAT deferral new payment scheme when it launches in 2021. Under the opt-in scheme, businesses can spread the repayments over 11 months. The online opt-in process is not open yet but is expected to open shortly. Note that if we act as your agent, we cannot opt-in for you – you must do this yourself.



Update - Wednesday 25th November



The Finance Minister announced a £300m support package on Monday 23 November which includes over £200m to support businesses which continue to be impacted by COVID-19. A further £150m is being held centrally for longer term support on business rates and Connor Murphy has said that he hopes to extend the current 1 year rates holiday for hospitality, tourism, retail, childcare and airports for a further 6 months.

The key support packages are:

  • £95m High Street Voucher Scheme in which households will be eligible for pre-paid voucher to support local businesses. It is initially thought that the voucher will be worth £200 and will not be redeemable online as the aim is to support local shops and businesses – however the exact value of the voucher has not yet been confirmed.
  • £55m to extend the Localised Restriction Support Scheme to include non-essential retail, leisure and entertainment businesses which have been forced to close.
  • £20m to support company directors - this will be welcomed as many company directors have not received any support to date. There is no information at this stage on what the support will look like or what the eligibility criteria will be.
  • £20m to extend the 12 month rate holiday to the manufacturing sector.
  • £10.6m to 1,000 wet pubs.
  • £5m for B&B's.
  • £3m to help local businesses to grow their online sales.
  • £5m to support charities.
  • A further £2.25m support for the Social Enterprise Support Fund which has previously oversubscribed.
  • £10m to sporting organisations.

We sent an email last week with some key dates for the various support schemes and many of these dates fall in the next few weeks.

Schemes that close before 30 November:

Invest NI Covid 19 Business and Financial Planning Grant

Businesses can access up to a maximum grant of £8,000 to support 80% of eligible costs to engage a consultant to assess the impact of  COVID-19 and develop a recovery plan. The programme closes for applications on 30th November 2020. CavanaghKelly are a registered provider of the Business and Financial Planning Grant, please contact us immediately if wish to consider an application for the grant.

COVID Restrictions Business Support Scheme

Part A: The current guidance states that the scheme is closing for applications at 6pm on Friday 27 November but we expect further announcements on this given the extension of the restrictions.

Stability and Renewal Programme for Organisations

Grants of up to £500,000 for organisations working in the arts and cultural sector to help them respond to the impact of coronavirus. The deadline for applications is 27th November 2020.

Heritage Recovery Fund

The Heritage Recovery Fund will support organisations across the heritage ecosystem. The fund closes to applications at noon on 27th November.

Schemes that have key dates in December:

Job Retention Scheme

The 30th November 2020 is the last day employers can submit or change claims for periods ending on or before 31 October 2020.
Claims for November must be submitted by 11.59pm on 14th December.

Self-employment Income Support Grant

The portal for the third grant covering the period from 1st November 2020 to 31st January 2021 will open on the 30th November.

Localised Restrictions Support Scheme

This scheme is open for applications. This scheme is to be extended to include non-essential retail, leisure and entertainment businesses which have been forced to close.

COVID Restrictions Business Support Scheme

Part B: This scheme opened on Thursday 18th November at 6pm and will close on Thursday 20th December 2020 – again, this may change.

Rural Social Investment Scheme

The DAERA Rural Social Economy Investment Scheme provide grants of between £25,000 and £50,000 to rural social enterprises. Pre-application workshops for applicants being held virtually between now and 3 December 2020. The call for applications will close at 5pm on Friday 11th December 2020.

Farm Business Improvement Scheme

The third tranche of Tier 1 of the Farm Business Improvement Scheme opened for applications on Monday 2nd November 2020 and will close on Friday 4th December at 4pm.



Update - Thursday 19th November



Many of the current COVID-19 support schemes have key dates coming up in the next few weeks and we’ve summarised these below. Businesses should also be aware that if they sign up for the Trader Support Service before 23rd November they will automatically be sent an EORI number that starts with XI – this is required for businesses in Northern Ireland to make declarations from 1 January.

Job Retention Scheme

The 30th November 2020 is the last day employers can submit or change claims for periods ending on or before 31 October 2020. From 1 November 2020, claims must be submitted 14 calendar days after the month end you are claiming for. If this falls on a weekend, then claims must be submitted on the next working day. This means that claims for November must be submitted by 11.59pm on 14th December.

Self-employment Income Support Grant

The portal for the third grant covering the period from 1st November 2020 to 31st January 2021 will open on the 30th November. The third grant is calculated at 80% of 3 months average monthly trading profits and it will be paid out in a single instalment and capped at £7,500 in total.

Localised Restrictions Support Scheme

This scheme is open for applications. It is for businesses that operate out of commercial premises and who have been forced to close under the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020.

Restrictions Business Support Scheme

Part A: This is closing for applications at 6pm on Friday 27 November.  Part A is for businesses that are required to close under the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 but are not eligible for the Local Restrictions Support Scheme.

Part B: This scheme opens for applications tomorrow, Thursday 18th November at 6pm and will close on Thursday 20th December 2020. Part B is for businesses that are not named in the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020, but which supply goods or services to such a business, or are reliant upon such a business being open and fully operational in order to trade.

Invest NI Covid 19 Business and Financial Planning Grant

Businesses can access up to a maximum grant of £8,000 to support 80% of eligible costs to engage a consultant to assess the impact of COVID-19 and develop a recovery plan. To be eligible for this grant you must operate in the manufacturing, construction, information and communication, professional, scientific or technical activities sectors or alternatively, all Invest NI clients will be also be eligible. Your business must also have a turnover of at least £500,000 in one of the three most recent financial years and have seen a reduction in turnover of at least 40% for the period from April to June 2020 compared to the previous period.

The programme closes for applications on 30th November 2020.

Trader Support Service

From 1 January 2021 you'll need an EORI number that starts with XI to:

  • move goods between Northern Ireland and non-EU countries
  • make a declaration in Northern Ireland
  • get a customs decision in Northern Ireland

To get an EORI number that starts with XI, you must already have an EORI number that starts with GB. If you do not have one, apply for an EORI number that starts with GB as soon as possible. If you already have an EORI number that starts with GB and HMRC thinks you need one that starts with XI, they’ll automatically send you one in mid-December 2020.

If you register with the Trader Support Service before 23 November you will be sent an EORI starting with XI.

Apprentice schemes

New Apprenticeship Incentive Scheme: This fund is now open for applications. Employers will be eligible for up to £3,000 for each new apprenticeship opportunity created from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021.

Apprenticeship Return, Retain and Result Scheme: This scheme is not open yet but we expect it to open shortly as the first payments are due to be made in December. Under the scheme, employers will be eligible for up to £3,700 for each apprentice they return from furlough, and retain them until 31 March 2021 and on to successful completion of their apprenticeship.

Rural Social Investment Scheme

The DAERA Rural Social Economy Investment Scheme is a pilot Scheme which will provide grants of between £25,000 and £50,000 to emerging and established rural social enterprises in Northern Ireland to enable them to increase their capacity, potential profitability and sustainability whilst supporting those who live in rural areas. There are pre-application workshops for applicants being held virtually between now and 3 December 2020. The call for applications will close at 5pm on Friday 11th December 2020.

Stability and Renewal Programme for Organisations

Grants of up to £500,000 for organisations working in the arts and cultural sector to help them respond to the impact of coronavirus. This scheme is also open to community organisations involved in arts and culture. The deadline for applications is 27th November 2020.

Heritage Recovery Fund

The Heritage Recovery Fund will support organisations across the heritage ecosystem that were financially sustainable before COVID-19, have exhausted all other reasonable financing options and are now at risk of failure. It offers grants of £3,000 to £250,000 for non-profit or private heritage organisations and grants of £3,000 or £5,000 for individuals working in the heritage sector. The fund closes to applications at noon on 27th November.

Farm Business Improvement Scheme

The third tranche of Tier 1 of the Farm Business Improvement Scheme opened for applications on Monday 2nd November 2020 and will close on Friday 4th December at 4pm. Tier 1 is for projects costing from £5,000 - £30,000 (eligible costs) and is primarily aimed at the purchase of off the shelf equipment and machinery.



Update - Thursday 5th November



Furlough has been extended

Rishi Sunak has announced that the Job Retention Scheme will be extended until the end of March 2021.

  • Employees will continue to receive 80% of their salary up to £2,500 per month
  • Employers will only pay NICs and pension contributions for hours not worked
  • The extension will be reviewed in January to examine whether the economic circumstances are improving enough for employers to be asked to increase contributions
  • The employee does not need to have been previously furloughed to make a claim under the extended CJRS
  • Employees that were employed and on the payroll on 23 September 2020 and who were made redundant or stopped working afterwards can be re-employed and claimed for under the scheme
  • The Job retention bonus will be not be payable in February 2021. A retention incentive will be put in place “at the right time” but there is no information on when this will be or what it might look like

Self-employment Income Support Scheme

The third grant covering November to January will be calculated at 80% of average trading profits up to a maximum of £7,500

Increased funding for devolved administrations

The upfront guaranteed funding for the devolved administrations is increasing from £14bn to £16bn.

Other initiatives

  • Extension of existing government-backed loan schemes (CBLIS and Bounce Back Loan) and the Future Fund to the end of January, and an ability to top-up Bounce Back Loans where people have borrowed less than their maximum (25% of turnover to a max of £50,000)
  • An extension to the mortgage payment holiday for homeowners without it impacting their credit file.


Update - Monday 2nd November



This weekend saw increased restrictions in England and the release of additional support which is also applicable to Northern Ireland. We have summarised the announcements and also provided further information on how to claim grants via the Covid Restrictions Business Support Scheme and Localised Restrictions Support Scheme.

Job Retention Scheme

The JRS has been extended and will remain open until December at which point the Job Support Scheme will commence. The key points in the announcement are:

  • There has been no end date confirmed at this point – the Government announcement has just stated ‘December’.
  • Employees will receive 80% of their wages up to a cap of £2,500
  • The employer will only be required to pay NICs and pension contributions for the hours not worked – this is similar to the grant contribution in August 2020.
  • Flexible furloughing will still be allowed
  • Employees do not need to have been furloughed before to benefit under the scheme. Employees must have been on their employees PAYE payroll by 23.59 on 30th October 2020.  A RTI submission notifying payment for employees must have been made before 30th October 2020.
  • Employers will need to report and claim for a minimum period of 7 consecutive calendar days
  • Employees can be on any type of contract – we assume that there will still be a requirement to agree new working arrangements in writing.

Updated guidance will be released on the extension to the scheme shortly.

Self Employment Income Support Scheme

Currently the Government will provide a taxable grant for the period 1 November 2020 to 31 January 2021 covering 40% of average monthly trading profits capped at £3,750 in total. Following the extension to the JRS, the Government will be under pressure to provide additional assistance for the self-employed.

Covid Restrictions Business Support Scheme

Part A of the scheme is open for claims.  The guidance on Part B, including eligibility criteria, has not been released yet.

Part A Eligibility

  • Your business is named within the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 as required to close/cease trading, but is not eligible for the Localised Restrictions Support Scheme
  • Your business operated in Northern Ireland and was trading at the time the restrictions came into effect on 16 October 2020
  • The income lost as a result of your business having to close or cease trading is your main source of income, accounting for more than 50% of your income

How to apply

You can check your eligibility via this link.

You will need the following information:

  • Your business name.
  • Your contact name and number.
  • Your business address and postcode.
  • Your bank account number and sort code for a UK or Sterling account used for trading purposes.
  • Your 10-digit HMRC Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR).
  • Your HMRC VAT Registration Number, if applicable (note you do not have to be VAT registered to be eligible for the grant)
  • Your company registration number
  • Confirmation that the CRBSS grant payment will not take your business over the State Aid de minimis ceiling of €200,000 over the three previous consecutive fiscal years.

You will also have to provide evidence for the following:

  • A scanned copy of a HMRC document showing your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), as well as your name and address.
  • Evidence to confirm you are a business required to close or cease trading as a result of the Health Protection Regulations
  • Evidence to confirm your business was trading up to, and including 16 October 2020. This must include a scanned or photograph copy of bank statement that shows business transaction information and as a minimum covers the period 16 September to 16 October 2020. The account must be a UK or Sterling account used by your business for trading purposes. This must be the same account to which the CRBSS grant payment will be made.
  • In addition to the bank statement, other evidence will be required to demonstrate active trading, for example, invoices, receipts issued or received during the same period as outlined above. This evidence should be provided along with the bank statement when making the application.
  • A form of photographic ID as your proof of identity, such as a scanned or photograph copy of a valid passport or a current (full or provisional) driving licence photo card.

The application states that they recommend a letter from a qualified and registered accountant, lawyer or a current bank manager confirming:

  • Your business has been required to close/cease trading as a result of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020.
  • Your business is not eligible for support under LRSS.
  • Your business operates in Northern Ireland and was trading at the time the restrictions came into effect on 16 October 2020.
  • The income lost as a result of your business having to close or cease trading is your main source of income, accounting for more than 50% of your income.

Localised Restrictions Support Scheme

If you have not yet applied for this scheme and think you may be eligible please follow the instructions below.  It is a relatively simple application process.

How to apply

The scheme is now open for all council areas and the application is via an online form on the following link.

You will need the following information:

  • Address of business premises
  • Occupancy ID and Ratepayer ID from rates bill
  • Contact details
  • Description of business, company number (if applicable), business website or social media link if available
  • Bank account details
  • Confirmation of whether you received the £10K or £25K grants previously – note this is just to help validate applications and is not part of eligibility criteria

Eligibility

  • The business must operate from a property within Northern Ireland
  • The business must have been open to the public and trading at the start of the restriction period
  • Businesses registered with their local council environmental health department as a cafe, restaurant, hotel, guesthouse or pub
  • Businesses that operate as a cinema, a museum, a trampoline park, an inflatable park, an escape room, a bowling alley, an ice rink or close contact services operating in commercial premises (such as hairdressers and barbers, beauty salons, day spas, nail bars and tattoo parlours).

What businesses are excluded?

  • Public sector bodies
  • Business which have failed to comply with a Covid-19 prohibition notice served by the
  • Off-licences and supermarkets selling alcohol solely restricted by closure times
  • Premises solely restricted by latest ordering time of 11pm on takeaway orders

What support is available?

Businesses are entitled to the following level of support:

  • Lower rate: Businesses with a Net Annual Value (“NAV”) of less than £15K will receive £1,600 for the initial two week period and £800 for each subsequent week that the restrictions apply for.  Businesses that are the joint occupant of a property with any NAV also fall into this category.
  • Standard rate: Businesses that are the sole occupant of a property with a NAV between £15,001 and £51,000£2,400 for the initial two week period and £1,200 for each subsequent week that the restrictions apply for.
  • Higher rate: Businesses that are the sole occupant of a property with an NAV of £51,001 or more £3,200 for the initial two week period and £1,600 for each subsequent week that restrictions apply for.

Mortgage Holiday extension

The mortgage holiday scheme was due to close on 31st October 2020. This has now been extended:

  • Borrowers who have been impacted by coronavirus and have not yet had a mortgage payment holiday will be entitled to a six month holiday
  • Those that have already started a mortgage payment holiday will be able to top up to six months without this being recorded on their credit file.

Bounce Back Loan Scheme

The current guidance states that this scheme is open to applications until 30 November 2020.

The scheme helps small and medium-sized businesses to borrow between £2,000 and up to 25% of their turnover.

The maximum loan available is £50,000.

There won't be any fees or interest to pay for the first 12 months.

After 12 months the interest rate will be 2.5% a year.

Note that the scheme gives the lender a full (100%) government-backed guarantee - the borrower always remains fully liable for the debt.

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme

The current guidance states that this scheme is open until 30th November 2020. Given the increase in restrictions this may be extended but the government have not yet indicated this will happen. If you are considering applying for this loan before the current deadline, you should start the application process as soon as possible.

  • The scheme helps small and medium-sized businesses to access loans and other kinds of finance up to £5 million.
  • The government guarantees 80% of the finance to the lender and pays interest and any fees for the first 12 months


Update - 23rd October



Covid Restrictions Business Support Scheme

Economy Minister Diane Dodds has announced support for those businesses who have been impacted by the recent restrictions but who were not eligible for support under the Localised Restriction Support Scheme ("LRSS"). This has followed criticism that LRSS excluded many businesses who were suppliers of businesses that were closed and businesses that did not operate out of commercial premises.

Eligibility

The business is restricted within the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 but is not eligible for the Localised Restrictions Support Scheme (LRSS)

or

the business meets all of the following:

  • is within the supply chain of businesses restricted by the Regulations and as a result has been significantly impacted
  • is operating in Northern Ireland and was trading immediately prior to 16 October 2020
  • is not included in the scope of funding already allocated to Executive Departments to respond to COVID restrictions

Level of support available

  • Businesses that are required to close but were not eligible for LRSS are eligible for a grant of £600 per week
  • Businesses that are not required to close but are within the supply chain of businesses restricted by the Regulations are eligible for a grant but it will depend on their NAV:
    • £400 per week for businesses with a NAV that does not exceed £15,000
    • £600 per week for businesses where the NAV exceeds £15,000 but doesn't exceed £51,000
    • £800 per week for businesses where the NAV exceeds £51,000
  • Businesses must demonstrate that they are in the direct supply chain of one or more businesses restricted by the Regulations and have been significantly impacted.
  • Businesses that do not occupy commercial premises and which are experiencing a significant decline in turnover can apply for a grant of £300 per week

When can you apply

The scheme is due to open shortly and we will provide further information as it is released.

Job Support Scheme

JSS Open

This scheme is for businesses that remain open but face reduced demand. The JSS Open will allow employees to work shorter hours and still receive at least 73% of their normal wages where they earn £3,125 per month or less.

  • Employees need to work a minimum of 20% of their usual hours and the employer will pay for the hours worked
  • Employees will receive 66.67% of their normal pay for hours not worked
  • The employer will pay 5% of the reference salary for the hours not worked up to max of £125 per month
  • The Government will pay the remainder of 61.67% of the reference salary for the hours not worked up to a max of £1,541.75
  • JSS Open does not cover NICs or pension contributions

JSS Closed

This scheme is for businesses who have been legally required to close their premises and ceased work as a minimum of 7 consecutive (or calendar) days as a direct result of coronavirus restrictions.

  • Employees who cannot work due to restrictions will receive 66.67% of their normal pay to a max of £2,083.33 per month
  • JSS Closed does not cover NICs or pension contributions

Businesses required to close as a result of specific workplace outbreaks by local public health authorities are not eligible for this scheme.

Eligibility

Both JSS Open and JSS Closed

  • Employees were on PAYE payroll between 6 April 2019 and 23 September 2020
  • If employees ceased employment after 23 September 2020 and were subsequently rehired, employers can claim for them
  • Employees can be on any type of contract including zero hours or temporary contracts
  • Employees do not need to have been furloughed under the JRS to be eligible for JSS.

JSS Open specific criteria

In addition to the criteria above:

  • an employer with 250 or more employees on 23 September 2020 has undertaken a Financial Impact Test showing that their turnover has remained equal of decreased. More details on the Financial Impact Test are on the following link
  • an employer with less than 250 employees on 23 September 2020 is not required to satisfy the test
  • some, or all, of their employees are working reduced hours - employees must still be working for at least 20% of their usual hours

JSS Closed specific criteria

In addition to the criteria above:

  • primary work place is at the premises that have been legally required to close as a direct result of coronavirus restrictions
  • employees that are eligible must have been instructed by the employer to cease work for a minimum period of at least 7 consecutive calendar days
  • To be eligible for the grant, employers must have reached written agreement with their employee that they have been instructed to and agree to stop working for a minimum of 7 consecutive calendar days

Other points to consider

  • Employers cannot claim for employees who have been made redundant or are serving their notice period. However, the guidance does allow employees who ceased employment after 23 September to be rehired – we expect there to be further clarification on the rules around this.
  • Large employers are expected not to make capital distributions whilst claiming JSS (dividends, charge etc)
  • Employers claiming JSS may still claim the Job Retention Bonus in respect of these employees.

How to claim

The claim portal will be open from 8 December 2020 for pay periods ending in November. More detail will be published on this shortly.

Self-Employed Income Support Scheme

The level of grant available under the SEISS has doubled from the initial level announced. There are two grants available covering the periods November 2020 to January 2021 and February 2021 to April 2021.

Eligibility

The underlying eligibility criteria remains the same as per the previous grants but applicants will have to declare that either:

  • are currently actively trading but are impacted by reduced demand due to coronavirus
  • were previously trading but are temporarily unable to do so due to coronavirus

This differs to previous declarations as applicants had to say that they had been ‘impacted’ and this could have covered situations such as self-isolation. This grant requires applicants to declare that they have had a reduction in demand due to covid-19.

What of the level of support?

  • Grant 1: 40% of average monthly trading profits which will be paid out in a single payment covering 3 months of profit and this is capped at £3,750.
  • Grant 2: The Government has not confirmed the level of the grant and have said that they will set this is due course




Should you have any questions or need further assistance on the above, please contact us.