Don’t shed a Tier: Our guide to the Government grants available in your area

The Government now offers different grants and business support packages depending on which Tier you fall into. Support may also differ depending on what your local authorities have negotiated.

If you weren’t confused before, you probably are now. So, we’ve created a guide to the Government grants that are available by Tier, with handy links to the relevant application pages. So, you can see exactly what support your business is eligible for and how to claim.

Tier 1

Self Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS)

Available to self-employed individuals whose income has been impacted by reduced demand due to Coronavirus.

• This grant will cover the period from 1st November—31st January.
• You must earn more than 50% of your total income from self-employment to qualify.
• Govt will cover 40% of three-months’ worth of average monthly profits up to a maximum of £3,750

How to claim: HMRC have not yet released details. We will update this page when they do.

Job Support Scheme open

Available to businesses whose operations have been restricted by Coronavirus but have not been forced to legally close.

• Employees must work at least 20% of their hours.
• The employer must continue to pay employees for all worked hours.
• The Government will pay 66.67% of their unworked hours up to £1,541.75 per month.
• Employers required to cover 5% of unworked hours up to £125 pm with the discretion to pay more.

How to claim: Employers can make their first claim on 8th December 2020 through GOV.UK. They must have paid their employees for their unworked hours prior to making a claim.

Job Support Scheme closed

Available to businesses that have been forced to close due to Coronavirus restrictions.

• Each employee will receive two thirds of their pay from the Government up to £2,083.33 per month, this will be taxable.
• Employers do not have to contribute to these wages but will be required to pay pension and taxes.
• Employees may also be entitled to Universal Credit

How to claim: Employers can make their first claim on 8th December 2020 through GOV.UK. You must pay your employees for their unworked hours prior to making a claim.

Job retention bonus

This bonus is designed to encourage employers to use the Job Retention Schemes rather than making staff redundant.

• Employers will receive a £1,000 bonus for every employee that was furloughed through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme but kept in employment until 31st January 2021.
• To qualify for the bonus, your employees must not be serving their notice period on 31st January and you must have paid them the minimum income threshold.

How to claim: Employers can claim their bonus from 15th February 2021 on GOV.UK.

Tier 2

All Tier 1 support schemes apply.

Business grant open

Grants of up to £2,100 per month are available to businesses in Tier 2 that have been adversely affected by local lockdown restrictions but have not been forced to legally close.

• Businesses with a value of £15,000 or under will get grants of £934 per month
• Businesses with a value of over £15,000 but under £51,000 will get £1,400 per month
• Businesses with a value of more than £51,000 will get £2,100 per month

How to claim: Funding will be delivered through Local Authorities. Visit your local council’s website for more information.

Business grant closed

Grants of up to £3,000 are available to businesses that have been forced to close due to local restrictions in high-alert areas (Tiers 2 and 3).

• Businesses with a rateable value of under £15,000 will get grants of £1,334 per month.
• Businesses with a value between £15,000 will get £2,000 per month.
• Businesses with a value of more than £51,000 will get £3,000 per month.

How to claim: Funding will be delivered through Local Authorities. Visit your local council’s website for more information.

Coronavirus Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG)

LRSG is available to businesses that pay business rates on their premises. In order to qualify, your business must have been closed for at least three weeks as a result of local lockdown measures on or after September 9th but have been open and providing in-person service prior to this.

• If your business has a property with a rateable value of less than £51,000 you will receive a grant of £3,000 for every 3-week period that your business is closed.
• If your business has a property with a rateable value of £51,000 or above, you will receive £1,500 for each 3-week period your business is closed.
• If your business has been affected by local lockdown measures, but you do not pay business rates or if your business has not been forced to close but has been severely affected by the lockdown, you may also receive a discretionary grant of up to £1,500.

How to claim: Visit your local council’s website to apply.

Tier 3

All Tier 1 and Tier 2 support schemes apply.

Extended business grant

Grants of up to £3,000 are available to businesses in Tier 3 whose operations have been restricted by local lockdown measures, whether they have remained open or been forced to legally close.

• Businesses with a rateable value of under £15,000 will get grants of £1,334 per month.
• Businesses with a rateable value between £15,000 and £50,000 will get £2,000 per month.
• Businesses with a rateable value of more than £51,000 will get £3,000 per month.

How to claim: Funding will be delivered through Local Authorities. Visit your local council’s website for more information.

Available to businesses in the hospitality and leisure sector who have been affected by local lockdown measures. The amount of money you get will depend on the rateable value of your commercial property and the number of staff you employ.

How to claim: Apply online here.

Support for Wales

Following a two-week firebreak lockdown, the Welsh Government launched additional funding packages for affected Welsh businesses, including:

• A £5,000 grant for businesses in the retail leisure and hospitality industries with a rateable property value between £12,001 and £51,000.
• A £1,000 grant for businesses with a rateable value of up to £12,000.
• A Lockdown Discretionary Grant of up to £2,000 for businesses that had to close as a result of the national firebreak.

How to claim: Funds will be administered by local authorities from 28th October – 20th November. Visit your local council website to learn more.

Photo credit: John Cameron, Unsplash