Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Help for Businesses
Dedicated Covid-19 Helpline for Powys residents and businesses.
Telephone number 01597 826345 Open 9am - 1pm
Find out about Grants and Reliefs, Benefits and Awards, Managing your Money and Debt Advice, and other help and support.
Financial support is being provided to businesses affected by the firebreak action.
Restrictions Business Fund information
Restrictions Business Fund
For the latest information on the support available from Welsh Government for small businesses during the coronavirus outbreak visit: https://businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice/
Or you can call Business Wales helpline on 03000 6 03000.
For the very latest updates from UK Government on support for businesses please visit:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/financial-support-for-businesses-during-coronavirus-covid-19
Find financial support for your business here:
https://www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder
Self Assessment customers can apply online for additional support to help spread the cost of their tax bill in instalments: https://www.gov.uk/pay-self-assessment-tax-bill/pay-in-instalments
Economic Resilience Fund (ERF): Restrictions Business Fund and Sector Specific Grant
Another round of funding to help hospitality businesses
A further package of financial support is available for hospitality, leisure, tourism, and related supply chain businesses.
The Welsh Government's Economic Resilience Fund (ERF) is providing eligible businesses with an additional cash boost to help them through the economic consequences of the recent Covid-19 restrictions.
As with many previous schemes Powys County Council will be responsible for getting the funds out of the door to businesses.
Eligible businesses who received the firebreak grant in October will not need to re-apply for this. The council has already paid out over £1million to these businesses.
Full details can be found on our Restrictions Business Fund webpage.
Hospitality (pubs, bars, cafés and restaurants) - mitigating guidance for Wales has been produced and updated in consultation with the Hospitality sector for Pubs, Bars, Cafes and Restaurants.
Coronavirus regulations - Frequently Asked Questions
New Business Wales Barriers Grant scheme to support start-up businesses
Funding focused on unemployed or economically inactive people.
Full details and further guidance can be found here
Business Wales Barriers Grant scheme
Isolation payments
This scheme is open, and customers will be able to make an online application to claim the Isolation Payment.
If you have been contacted by NHS Wales Test, Trace, protect service (TTP) and been told to self-isolate, you may be entitled to Financial Support.
If you meet ALL of the eligibility criteria, you are entitled to an Isolation Payment of £500
Find the edibility criteria and application form here: Isolation payments
The Self-Isolation Support Scheme has been extended to help Parents and Carers who have to take time off work to look after their children when they have to self-isolate because of a coronavirus outbreak in their school or childcare setting.
People will be able to apply for the self-isolation payment via their local authority website from 14 December and payments will be backdated to 23 October.
Funding Schemes
New incentives for the recruitment of new apprentices
- up to a £3,000 incentive for employing a new apprentice
- up to a £2,600 incentive for re-employing a redundant apprentice
- a £1,500 incentive for employing a disabled apprentice, which can be claimed in addition to the new and redundant apprentice incentives
To find out more please visit the Business Wales Skills Gateway website.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Claim for some of your employee's wages if you have put them on furlough or flexible furlough because of Covid-19 - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wages-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme
Open now
Closes: 30th April 2021
Childcare Offer Small Grant Scheme
Small grants are available for settings who offer the Childcare Offer, each setting can apply for up to £10,000!
Covid-19 has brought new challenges for settings and a lot of settings are spending most of their time in the outdoors!
Did you know that settings have been successful in applying for the following:
- Outdoor hand-washing stations
- Reduced size tuff trays - to allow for sand and messy play!
- Canopies and porches to allow for social distancing
- Wet weather gear
- Wipeable mats & cushions
- Outdoor coat and welly rack
- Outdoor storage
If you need any help with your application, drop us an email childcareoffer@powys.gov.uk
Be Active Wales Fund
Protect clubs and community organisations or groups that are at immediate financial risk and need support - £300-£5,000
Prepare clubs and community organisations or groups to restart, respond to, or grow participation, in direct response to Covid-19 - £300-£50,000
Progress clubs and community organisations: to tackle inequality, create long-term solutions to be more sustainable and to take innovative approaches
https://www.sport.wales/beactivewalesfund/
Open now
Job Support Scheme
The Job Support Scheme, which was due to start on 1 November 2020, has been postponed as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is being extended until December.
Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) Grant Extension - Third Grant
Self-employed people who are currently eligible for the SEISS and are actively continuing to trade but are facing reduced demand due to COVID-19.
Two grants available from November 2020 to April 2021. Grants will be paid in two lump sum instalments each covering a three-month period.
Check the eligibility criteria here: https://www.gov.uk/.../claim-a-grant-through-the...
Open now
Closes: April 2021
Kickstart Scheme to Create New Jobs for Young People
Funding aimed to create high quality six-month work placements for those aged 16 to 24 who are on Universal Credit.
The Powys Employer and Partnership Team are currently running a series of 'Kickstart Introduction Sessions' aimed at employers looking to learn more about the Scheme.
To register your interest please contact Dan Williams, Powys Employer & Partnership Manager at Daniel.williams1@dwp.gov.uk
- https://kickstart.campaign.gov.uk/
Open now
Universal Credit
For those not eligible for the business or self-employment income support schemes or SSP, you may be eligible for Universal Credit.https://www.gov.uk/apply-universal-credit
Open now
Bounce Back Loan
Help for smaller businesses to access finance more quickly due to Covid. No fees or interest for the first 12 months - £2,000 to £50,000
Full details https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-coronavirus-bounce-back-loan
Open now
Coronavirus Future Fund
Loans for innovative companies - £125,000 to £5 million
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/future-fund
Open now
Development Bank of Wales
Flexible finance to suit all business types - https://developmentbank.wales/
Open now
Business Interruption Loan Scheme
Loans for small and medium companies - up to £5 million
Open now
Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/larger-businesses-to-benefit-from-loans-of-up-to-200-million
£50 million to £200 million
Open now
Protection for businesses who miss rent payments
Support to stop business evictions this year - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-extends-support-to-stop-business-evictions-this-year
Closes: 31st Dec 2020
Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme
For small and medium sized employers to recover Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) payments they have made to current or former employees.
Open now
Deferral of VAT payments due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/deferral-of-vat-payments-due-to-coronavirus-covid-19
HMRC Debt Repayment Plan for your Outstanding Taxes
https://www.gov.uk/difficulties-paying-hmrc or call the HMRC helpline 0800 024 1222
Open now
HMRC help line for the self-employed and businesses who will be struggling due to COVID19.
Advice on tax and benefits you can claim for: 0300 456 3565.
Open now
Voluntary Services Emergency Fund
Grants to support not for profit organisations - £10,000 to £100,000 https://wcva.cymru/funding/volunteering-wales-grants-scheme/
Open now
Laws and Guidelines
https://gov.wales/coronavirus-legislation-and-guidance-law
Businesses
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance for individuals and businesses in Wales
https://gov.wales/business-and-employers-coronavirus
Guidance for workplaces and premises:
Welsh Government: Workplace Guidance for Wales
Work carried out in people's homes
https://gov.wales/coronavirus-covid-19-closure-businesses-and-premises-html#section-39058
Guidance for workplaces and premises open to the public:
Test, Trace, Protect strategy
Guidance on employers' responsibilities to help with COVID-19 testing and contact tracing.
Help with Starting a Business
https://businesswales.gov.wales/starting-up/
Communities for Work+ Powys -Mentors to help people into work or to fund vocational training
https://www.growinpowys.com/copy-of-communities-for-work
Business Wales webinars:Free help to take your business online.
https://businesswales.gov.wales/superfastbusinesswales/events
Free practical support and independent advice fornew products, processes and servicesis available from SMARTInnovation. To speak to an advisor please email: SMARTInnovation@gov.wales
Food Businesses
Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Environmental Health
Communities
Guidelines for Community Centres:
https://gov.wales/safe-use-multi-purpose-community-centres-covid-19
Third Sector Organisations
For advice and support please see the Business, economy and innovation section of the Welsh Government website
Third Sector / Social Enterprises
Welsh Government https://gov.wales/coronavirus-support-for-the-third-sector
Social Business Wales -
https://businesswales.gov.wales/socialbusinesswales/covid-19-support-your-social-business
0300 111 5050 or email sbwenquiries@wales.coop
The Wales Co-Operative Centre: help for the social business sector in Wales. https://wales.coop/
