Further to our April mailout, online applications for the Northern Beaches small business hardship grant are now open on the Service NSW website and close on 11 June 2021 so it is important to act now if you are eligible.
If you are a small business owner or a not-for-profit located on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and were impacted by the Public Health (COVID-19 Northern Beaches) Order 2020, you may be eligible for a one-off small business hardship grant of $3,000 or $5,000.
This grant supports businesses to rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19 on patron movement, gatherings and the closure of some businesses as mandated by the Northern Beaches Public Health Order. Funds may be used for:
- unavoidable business operating expenses, such as utilities or rent
- financial, legal or other advice to support business continuity planning – speak with the Allan Hall team about this
- marketing and communications activities
- other activities to support the operation of the business.
The grant cannot be used to cover expenses for which other government support is available, such as wages for workers who are eligible for JobKeeper.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a grant, small businesses and not-for-profit organisations must:
- have an Australian Business Number registered in the Northern Beaches Local Government Area, or be able to demonstrate the business is physically located and primarily operating in the Northern Beaches LGA as at 1 December 2020
- be non-employing or employ fewer than 20 full-time equivalent workers
- have total Australian wages below the NSW Government 2020-21 payroll tax threshold of $1.2 million as at 1 July 2020
- have annual turnover of more than $75,000 as at 1 March 2020
- have had unavoidable business costs during the Northern Beaches Public Health Order, for which there is no other government support available.
To be eligible for the $3,000 grant, small businesses and not-for-profit organisations must also have experienced at least 30% decline in turnover due to the Northern Beaches Public Health Order over a minimum 2-week period from 19 December 2020 to 10 February 2021 compared to the corresponding period a year earlier.
To be eligible for the $5,000 grant, small businesses and not-for-profit organisations must also have experienced at least 50% decline in turnover due to the Northern Beaches Public Health Order over a minimum 2-week period from 19 December 2020 to 10 February 2021 compared to the corresponding period a year earlier.
Eligible businesses may only receive the $3,000 or the $5,000 grant, not both.
Making a grant application
Service NSW has outlined what applicants need to start a grant application, however if you are a client, please speak with the Allan Hall team about obtaining documents if you require assistance:
- a MyServiceNSW Account
- your proof of identity
- your valid ABN/ACN number
- your business banking details for payment
- a relevant Business Activity Statement (BAS).
Where a small business does not submit a BAS to the Australian Tax Office and meets all other criteria, the small business should contact Service NSW to discuss further. In these cases, an income tax declaration may be accepted as evidence of an annual turnover of $75,000.
In addition, you will need to provide a declaration that you meet the eligibility criteria, including at least a 30% or 50% decline in turnover from 19 December 2020 to 10 February 2021 compared to the corresponding period a year earlier.
If your business is physically located and operating in the Northern Beaches LGA, but your ABN is registered outside of the area, you will need to provide evidence of eligible business premises and activities, such as rates notices or lease agreements.
Important
Online applications for the Northern Beaches small business hardship grant close on 11 June 2021. For business owners wishing to apply, you will need to provide a declaration that you meet the eligibility criteria, including at least a 30% or 50% decline in turnover from 19 December 2020 to 10 February 2021 compared to the corresponding period a year earlier. If you are applying for the $3,000 grant you MAY be asked to provide a letter signed by a qualified accountant. If you are applying for the $5,000 you MUST supply the letter signed by a qualified accountant. Your Allan Hall contact can assist with this letter.
To review grant notes, proof of identity and auditing requirements, please visit Service NSW or call our team on the Northern Beaches on 02 9981 2300.