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.

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

Business Action Cards

Powys businesses looking for help and support on how to stop the spread of Coronavirus have a site for workplace advice.

Although virus case numbers in Powys are falling slowly workplace contacts are still a cause of concern and businesses are being urged to do all they can to stop the spread of the virus, particularly with new variants in circulation.

To help support businesses the Welsh Government have produced a series of Business Action Cards to complement COVID-19 guidance which are now available below.

The business cards provide a clear summary of some of the key points for sector specific businesses to implement to protect themselves, their workforces and people they come into contact with.

The cards cover a range of businesses including, taxis, childminding and nursery settings, food manufacturing, non-food manufacturing and offices.

For more information about COVID-19 testing in Powys, visit the health board's website at www.pthb.nhs.wales/coronavirus/coronavirus-testing

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.

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 £750

Find the edibility criteria and application form here: Self-isolation support payments

Funding Schemes

Property Improvement Loans and Financial Assistance

Zero interest loans to make property improvements, for landlords or homeowners.

Improvements may include, energy efficiency measures, repairing defects and even redeveloping empty homes. Loan amounts and repayment terms depend on type of work and may incorporate a processing fee. View our Funding and Advice factsheet [289KB] for useful information.

Transforming Towns Place Making Grant

Support for a wide range of projects, from green infrastructure developments to internal and external commercial and residential improvements for business owners. Under the 2021-22 funding programme, an initial 12 towns have been identified in the region to guide investment. However, project proposals are welcome from any town within the region under the Placemaking grant.

Find more information here: https://www.growinpowys.com/transforming-towns

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.

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

Female Entrepreneurship Funding

Loans for female-led businesses looking to start, scale and grow their businesses.

Read more by visiting the Nat West website.

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

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

Development Bank of Wales

Flexible finance to suit all business types - https://developmentbank.wales/

Open now

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 COVID-19.

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 - https://wcva.cymru/funding/volunteering-wales-grants-scheme/

Open now

Laws and Guidelines

https://gov.wales/coronavirus-law

Businesses

Should you wish to repay the Retail, Leisure or hospitality Relief

Repaying your business rates relief - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance for individuals and businesses in Wales

https://gov.wales/business-and-employers-coronavirus

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

Communities for Work+ Powys

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

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/