Grants for businesses in England forced to close due to local lockdowns
Businesses in England that are required to shut because of local interventions – such as lockdowns or “targeted restrictions” – will now be able to claim up to £1,500 per property every three weeks. This does not affect eligibility for the other forms of Government support, such as the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme. Businesses still closed at a national level, such as nightclubs, will not be eligible.
How much can I get?
- Businesses on premises that pay annual rent or mortgage payments of exactly £51,000 or more can claim £1,500 for every three-week period they are ordered to close.
- Businesses on premises that pay annual rent or mortgage payments less than £51,000 can claim £1,000 for every three-week period they are ordered to close.
- Each payment will be made for a three-week lockdown period. Each new three-week lockdown period triggers an additional payment.
How do I get the payment?
- The grants will be administered by local authorities.
- As soon as it is confirmed your business will need to be closed for at least three weeks, you need to contact your local authority.
- It is then up to individual local authorities to make payments as quickly as possible.
- Not sure how to contact your local authority? Here’s the local council website checker.
Need to know
- You can’t claim for single weeks, ie, £500 for one week. It is either for a full three-week period or none.
- The grants are “per property”. This means if you have a business with more than one premise, such as a restaurant with two branches that are both forced to close, you will receive two grants.
- Further eligibility criteria may be determined by local authorities.
- As with other Covid-19 business grants, the grants will be treated as taxable income.
SOURCE: MSE – 01/10/20