Covid Subsidies 2021
With the surprise lockdown announcements by the government on 17th August 2021, it has thrown a spanner in the works. Luckily, they have also announced the reinstatement of the financial supports packages that we saw under the previous lockdown. These are available to be applied via the Work and Income website for everyone that is eligible.
The government has announced the following:
The Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS) allows eligible employers anywhere in the country to apply for the WSS if they expect a loss of 40% of revenue as a result of the alert level increase announced on 17 August. The WSS rates have been increased to reflect the increase in wage costs since the scheme was first used in March 2020. Businesses will be eligible for $600 per week per full-time equivalent employee and $359 per week per part-time employee. The wage subsidy will be paid as a 2-week lump sum. Applications open on Friday, 20 August with the first payments usually available after 3 days.
Click on this link to apply: How to apply for the COVID-19 Wage Subsidy August 2021 - Work and Income
A Resurgence Support Payment (RSP) is available if firms incur a loss of 30% of revenue as a result of the alert level increase. When the RSP is activated, eligible businesses and organisations can apply to receive the lesser of:
$1,500 plus $400 per full-time equivalent employee (FTE), up to a maximum of 50 FTEs, or
4 times (4x) the actual revenue decline experienced by the applicant.
It is possible that the Government could decide to activate the RSP multiple times if there are multiple alert level increases from level 1. Businesses and organisations can apply for the RSP each time that it is activated as long as they meet the eligibility criteria
Click on this link to apply: https://www.ird.govt.nz/covid-19/business-and-organisations/resurgence-support-payment/apply
The Leave Support Scheme (LSS) provides a 2-week lump sum payment of either $585 per week for full-time workers, or $350 per week for part-time workers, who must self-isolate and cannot work from home.
Click on this link to apply: https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/covid-19/leave-support-scheme/how-to-apply.html
The Short-term Absence Payment (STAP) provides a one-off (once per 30 days) $350 payment for workers who must miss work due to a COVID-19 test and cannot work from home. This payment is also available to self-employed workers.
Click on this link to apply: https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/covid-19/short-term-absence-payment/how-to-apply.html
If you need any assistance, please contact your client manager.