Here is a quick update on what Government Support is currently available:
Wage Subsidies
New Resurgence Wage Subsidy
The Government Announced a new two-week Resurgence Wage Subsidy (RWS) Scheme yesterday. It is for businesses who have had / or predict that they will have a 40% drop in revenue, within a 14 day period between 12 August and 10 September 2020, compared to a similar period last year. Here are some of the key details:
• Applications can be made from 1pm, on Friday the 21st of August, and they close on 3 September. These will be available through the Work and Income Website.
• The subsidy amounts per employee are the same as last time ($585.80 for full time, and $350 for part time per week).
• It is open to all employers throughout New Zealand, not just Auckland (Providing you meet the criteria and eligibility).
• You can not apply for the RWS scheme if you and your employees are still in receipt of the Wage Subsidy Extension Scheme or Leave Support Scheme.
You can find out more details here.
Wage Subsidy Extension
The 8 week Wage Subsidy Extension (mentioned in some of our previous newsletters), is still available until midnight on September 1st 2020. If you haven’t already applied for this, and you believe your business may have had a 40% drop in revenue for a continuous 30 day period (within the last 40 days before you apply), then we recommend you apply. For more information, and to see if your eligible click here.
Change to the Leave Support Scheme
From 1pm on the 21st of August, your business no longer needs to meet a revenue test to be able to apply for the Leave Support Scheme. All other details for the scheme remain unchanged. You can read more about the Leave Support Scheme here.
Mortgage Deferral Scheme Extension
The Mortgage Deferral Scheme, which allowed people to defer payments on residential mortgages, was due to end on 27 September 2020 but this has now been extended until 31 March 2021. Further details on the extension of the scheme will be made available by banks and the Reserve Bank in the near future.
Mandatory Contact Tracing for Businesses
In order to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in New Zealand, the Government now requires businesses to have QR code posters to support contact tracing.
From 12 pm on Wednesday 19 August, it is mandatory for all businesses and services providers to display the official NZ COVID Tracer QR code posters in prominent places at or near the main entrances of each of their premises.
The posters are free to create. You will need a separate one for each of your premises or unique locations. All you need is your driver’s licence, address and contact details. You can create your poster here.