ACT Small Business Hardship Scheme extended
04 Feb 2022The COVID-19 Small Business Hardship Scheme will provide reimbursement for eligible businesses for costs incurred and paid with selected utilities (gas, water and electricity), commercial rates and commercial vehicle registrations up to the value of $10,000 per business.
To be eligible, businesses must have:
- an annual turnover of $30,000 to $2 million; and
- a valid and active ABN and if required be registered for GST on or before 1 April 2021; and
- experienced a 30% decline in revenue in the lockdown period when compared with the period before lockdown
Reimbursement of up to $10,000 can be provided to eligible businesses for utilities and commercial rates paid from 1 July 2021 to 28 February 2022, and for commercial vehicle registration paid between 1 January 2021 and 28 February 2022.
Only one application can be submitted per ABN.
As the closing date for applications has now been extended, if you have already applied and wish to claim additional items, you will be contacted via email with information on how to submit this additional evidence.
All applicants will need to supply proof of payment of eligible items. Your utility, commercial rates and vehicle registration must be in your business name. Residential/individual expenses are not eligible for this scheme.
If your business has already been approved for a COVID-19 Business Support Grant, you won’t need to provide your evidence again of a 30% decline in turnover, but you will need to start a separate application under the Small Business Hardship Scheme. Please have your Business Support Grant application reference number handy as you will be asked for this when you apply for the new Scheme.
If you have already made an application under the Scheme, you may be eligible to reapply if your first reimbursement totalled less than $10,000. You can provide supplementary evidence for any costs incurred up to 28 February 2022.
The total maximum reimbursement each business is eligible for remains $10,000.
For example: Julie applied for reimbursement of her electricity bills and has already received $4,000 reimbursement from the ACT Government. She received a new water bill and electricity bill in January 2022 and can apply to have those reimbursed, up to $6,000, allowing her to claim a total of $10,000.
Payment will be made on average within 30 days of a correctly lodged application.
Please carefully read the Small Business Hardship Guidelines (DOC 2.6MB) or (PDF 1MB) and the Frequently Asked Questions before starting your application. A factsheet is available in 13 languages on the Business resources page.
If you still need assistance email business.mailbox@act.gov.au or call 6205 0900 during business hours.
Applications close on 28 February 2022.
Find out more here.