A number of measures have been announced by the Northern Ireland government to support individuals and businesses, to help get through COVID-19.
At a glance
- Business rates.
- Business grants.
- Water bills.
- Organisations emergency programme.
- Micro-business hardship fund.
- Fishing industry support.
- Artists emergency programme.
- Sports hardship fund.
- Support finder.
For guidance on other measures introduced by the UK government see COVID-19: Government Support Tracker
Overview of the measures introduced by Northern Ireland
Business rates
- On 30 March 2020, the Finance Minister announced a reduction in the regional business rate of 12.5%.
- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, rate bills will be issued in June 2020 and no rates will be charged for April, May and June 2020.
- A hardship rate relief can be applied for by businesses meeting certain conditions.
- The rates exemption for automatic telling machines in rural areas, known as the rural ATM scheme has been reintroduced.
Business Grants
- The business support grant scheme of £10,000 is available to businesses that are ratepayers with a total net annual value of £15,000 and below.
- A grant of £25,000 is available to businesses in retail, hospitality, tourism and leisure sectors who pay rates on a property with a total net asset value between £15,001 and £51,000.
- There are also two grant options of either £10,000 or £25,000 for businesses who are sole tenants of a rental property or who own and occupy a property with a total net annual value of £1,590 or less.
- See here for information on Business support grant scheme and Retail, hospitality, tourism and leisure grant. Deadlines to register for the grants is 20 May 2020.
Water bills
- Water and sewerage bills for businesses and non-domestic customers will not be issued until July 2020. Any planned increases to tariffs will be deferred and reviewed in Autumn.
Organisations emergency programme
- Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) can apply for funding of up to £25,000.
- Funding should assist the development of new projects or programmes and re-arrange events which have been forced to cancel during the COVID-19 period.
Micro-business hardship fund
- Support for micro-businesses and social enterprises unable to access other regional and national COVID-19 measures.
- Since 1 March 2020, the business turnover reduced in excess of 40% as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- See information on applications.
Fishing industry support
- The three-monthly payment assistance will be dependant on the vessel length and a maximum payment of £4,550 per month.
- Businesses with a Northern Irish licenced vessel and recording sales of £10,000 or more in 2019. Further advice is yet to be published.
Artists emergency programme
- An award of up to £55,000 to support individual artists, creative practitioners and performers.
- The scheme is now closed. See artists emergency programme for more information.
Sports hardship fund
- A grant of £2,000 for sports clubs and sporting organisations from the voluntary and community sector.
- New applications have been suspended until further funding is made.
Support Finder
The Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has created a COVID support Finder tool that individuals and companies can use to identify applicable benefits.
Links
COVID-19: Government support tracker
All about tax and financial support during the crisis.
External links
Northern Ireland government services
Northern Ireland business information
The Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) 'Find coronavirus financial support for your business'