Following the announcement of national lockdown, the Government have provided funding to all local authorities to support businesses which, whilst not forced to close, have been severely impacted by the national restrictions.
The government has also recognised that some businesses may not have rateable commercial premises but still have been severely impacted. The Additional Restrictions Grant will cover businesses that fall into these categories.
If you have applied for this grant before during the November lockdown, then you do not need to apply again. Your previous application will be used to determine if you are eligible for the grant.
The application window for this grant for the second national lockdown(in November) has now closed. New applications for this grant will be considered for eligibility from the 5 January 2021 onwards only.
Grant Payment amounts:
If your business is listed on the business rates assessment list:
|
Category |
Rateable value |
Eligible amount per 28 Day Period |
|
Small |
£1 to £15,000 |
£1,334 |
|
Medium |
£15,001 to £50,999 |
£2,000 |
|
Large |
£51,000 and above |
£3,000 |
If your business is not listed on the business rates assessment list:
|
Category |
Eligible amount per 28 Day Period |
|
Businesses with fixed commercial premises costs, such as rent payments |
Grants of up £3,000 |
|
For those without fixed premises costs but have fixed ongoing business costs, such as leasing costs or insurances |
Grants of up to £1,334 |
Is my business eligible?
Your business may be eligible if it occupies a property in the district or is run by a local resident and trades within the district and:
- Have been effectively forced to close due to the national restrictions, whether they are liable for business rates or not. This will include personal service providers, market traders or
- Is a business where trade has been severely impacted* whether they are liable for business rates or not
- Businesses outside of the business rates system or are not directly the rate payer for business rates, such as those in shared spaces and are not legally forced to close but have been severely impacted by the national restrictions
- Businesses that do not have premises but do have high fixed costs
*By severely impacted we mean at least 50% of your revenue comes from businesses that were required to close due to the national restrictions and this has had an impact on your income by at least 50%. This does include suppliers of good and services to businesses forced to close.
Is my business not eligible?
The following businesses are not eligible for this grant:
- Businesses that can continue to trade or operate remotely and do not rely on providing ‘in-person’ services
- Businesses which have already reached the state aid limit
- Business which are subject to insolvency or striking off action
- Specific businesses subject to national closures since 23 March 2020 will not be eligible for this funding. This includes nightclubs and entertainment venues where grants will be paid under a separate scheme for nationally mandated business closures
The full eligibility criteria can be viewed in the schemes policy.
If you already receive state aid
The Additional Restrictions Grant counts towards state aid.
Payments count towards the total de minimis State aid you are allowed to get over a 3-year period - €200,000. If you have reached that threshold, you may still be eligible for funding under the COVID-19 Temporary Framework. The limit for the framework is €800,000.
If you proceed to make an application, we will ask you to complete a declaration confirming that you will not exceed the relevant State aid threshold.
Tax implications
Grant income received by a business is taxable. The Additional Restrictions Grant will need to be included as income in the tax return of your business.
How do I apply?
If you have already applied for this grant before during the November lockdown, then you do not need to apply again. Your previous application will be used to determine if you are eligible for the grant from 5 January onwards.
If you think your business is eligible please complete the online form. Your application will be considered for eligibility from the 5 January 2021 onwards.
You will be asked to provide details about your business such as proof of bank account details and your property costs. We will contact you if we need further information. There could be a delay in processing your application may arise if your information and evidence isn’t provided.
The funding for this grant is limited. Once all funding has been allocated, no further applications will be considered, any outstanding applications will be rejected.
The decisions to award or reject a grant payment is at the discretion of Selby District Council.