Coronavirus (Covid-19): Emergency support for businesses
Information on the emergency support for businesses because of Coronavirus.
Economic Resilience Fund (ERF) Business Support
The Welsh Government is making a further package of business support available through the Economic Resilience Fund (ERF). The ERF will provide support in the form of cash grants for businesses, social enterprises and charities and associated supply chain businesses that have experienced / will continue to experience a material negative impact as a result of ongoing COVID-19 restrictions.
The grants will help meet operating costs (excluding staff wages) for the period 1 July 2021 to 31 August 2021 directly impacted by the restrictions in place from the beginning of the period.
Find out more about the ERF Business Support, including checking if you are eligible and how to apply for an ERF grant
Wales Cultural Recovery Fund Phase 2: Freelancer Fund
The Freelancer Fund is a grant to provide financial assistance for freelancers in the cultural sectors that face financial challenges from 1 April 2021 to 30 September 2021 as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Applying for the Freelancer Fund closed at 5pm on Tuesday 1 June 2021.
Find out more about the Freelancer Fund
Restrictions Business Fund
The Welsh Government extended the Restrictions Business Fund to support businesses that have been directly impacted by the additional restrictions put in place to control the spread of Covid-19.
Non Domestic Rates (NDR) Linked Grants - 11 to 31 March 2021
This grant was for businesses within the hospitality, tourism, leisure sector, and related supply chain.
Businesses within these sectors, such as pubs, restaurants, self-catering accommodation, hotels and cafes are to be given an automatic payment, where they are still in operation and have previously received a restrictions fund grant. This grant closed on 31 March 2021.
Find out more about the NDR Linked Grants
Discretionary grant
The discretionary grant was for Businesses who did not have a business premises registered with business rates. This grant closed on 11 March 2021. More information about the Restrictions Business Fund discretionary grant
Non Domestic Rates grant (December 2020 to 11 March 2021)
The Non Domestic Rates grants (December 2020 to 11 March 2021) was for businesses who had business premises registered with business rates (including those in receipt of rates relief). This grant closed on 11 March 2021. More information about the Restrictions Business Fund Non Domestic Rates (December 2020 to 11 March 2021) grant
Recovery Loan Scheme
The Recovery Loan Scheme supports access to finance for UK businesses as they grow and recover from the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Find out more about the Recovery Loan Scheme (external website)
Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS)
If you’re eligible based on your tax returns, HMRC will contact you in mid-April to give you a date that you can make your claim from. It will be given to you either by email, letter or within the online service.
Visit GOV.UK for guidance on how to claim a grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (external website)
Job Support Scheme
The Job Support Scheme is designed to protect viable jobs in businesses who are facing lower demand over the winter months due to Covid-19, to help keep their employees attached to the workforce.
Visit GOV.UK for more information on the Job Support Scheme (external website)
Business Loan Scheme
The Welsh Government and the Development Bank of Wales have announced the £100m Covid-19 Wales Business Loan Scheme to support businesses affected by the Covid-19 outbreak.
Visit the Development Bank of Wales website for more information about the Business Loan Scheme (external website)
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
A HMRC initiative, the coronavirus Job Retention Scheme states all UK employers with a PAYE scheme will be able to access support to continue paying part of their employees’ salary for those that would otherwise have been laid off during this crisis.
Find out more about the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme by visiting the Business Support website (external website)
Statutory Sick Pay
Employees who follow advice to stay at home and who cannot work as a result will be eligible for statutory sick pay (SSP), even if they are not themselves sick.
Visit the Business Support website for more information on Statutory Sick Pay (external website)
Deferral of Self- Assessment payment
As one of the Governments coronavirus (COVID 19) supporting measures, Self Assessment taxpayers were given the option of deferring payment of their July 2020 Payment on Account until 31 January 2021.
Find out more about making your Self Assessment payments (external website)
HMRC Coronavirus support helpline
A dedicated helpline has been set up by HMRC to support businesses and self-employed people in financial distress and with outstanding tax liabilities to receive support with their tax affairs.
Find out more about the HMRC Coronavirus helpline (external website)
Insurance
Businesses that have cover for both pandemics and government-ordered closure should be covered, as the government and insurance industry confirmed on 17 March 2020 that advice to avoid pubs, theatres etc. is sufficient to make a claim.
Insurance policies differ significantly, so businesses are encouraged to check the terms and conditions of their specific policy and contact their providers. Most businesses are unlikely to be covered, as standard business interruption insurance policies are dependent on damage to property and will exclude pandemics.
Extra support for the welfare system
The Department for Work and Pensions is looking to support all those who are affected by corona virus by providing information and details regards claiming benefits
Citizens Advice Denbighshire (external website) are also able to assist you with making an initial claim or helping you update your existing one.
Related documents:
Restarting and re-opening business (PDF, 470KB)