Support may be available to you to keep your employees paid. There is some existing assistance available as well as some new assistance just announced:
1. NEW – RESURGENCE SUPPORT PAYMENT (RSP)
RSP Applications for businesses affected by the 17th August alert level change open at 8am on Tuesday 24th August.
How the RSP works
A business or organisation must have experienced at least a 30% drop in revenue or a 30% decline in capital-raising ability over a 7-day period, due to the increased COVID-19 alert level.
While the RSP is activated any business in New Zealand that has experienced a 30% drop in revenue or capital raising ability over a 7-day period as a result of the alert level increase would be eligible (subject to all other criteria being met). For full list of criteria click here.
It is possible that the Government could decide to activate the RSP multiple times if there are multiple alert level increases from level 1. Businesses and organisations can apply for the RSP each time alert level is activated, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria. You will need your NZBN, and some more details before you start. Please contact us should you need assistance with this.
How much eligible businesses and organisations can apply for
Eligible businesses and organisations can apply to receive the lesser of:
- $1,500 plus $400 per full-time equivalent (FTE) employee, up to a maximum of 50 FTEs
- 4x the actual revenue decline experienced by the applicant
The IRD have a calculator you can use to see how much you may receive, find out more here. To apply for the Resurgence Support Payment use this link.
2. COVID-19 SHORT TERM ABSENCE PAYMENT (STAP)
The COVID-19 Short-Term Absence Payment is available for businesses, including self-employed people, to help pay their workers who cannot work from home while they wait for a COVID-19 test result.
The STAP has been available since 9th February 2021. It’s to help businesses keep paying eligible workers who:
- cannot work from home, and
- need to miss work to stay home while waiting for a COVID-19 test result (in line with public health guidance)
STAP is a one-off payment of $350 for each eligible worker. You can only apply for it once, for each eligible worker in any 30-day period (unless a health official or doctor tells the worker to get another test).
It’s also available to self-employed workers.
You will need to make sure however that you or your business are eligible. To check, head to WINZ.
Businesses and self-employed people can apply for the COVID-19 STAP here.
Note, if you have already applied for this payment and you are applying again for the same worker, you can follow the same process. However a second application for the same worker cannot be made within 30-days, unless they are advised to get another test by a health official or doctor AND you are applying at least three days after your previous application.
If your worker has a positive COVID-19 test, you can apply for the COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme set out below to help pay their wages. You will need to do this three days after you have applied for the STAP.
3. COVID-19 LEAVE SUPPORT SCHEME (LSS)
The COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme is available for employers, including self-employed people, to help pay their employees who need to self-isolate and cannot work from home.
This means you or your workers:
- cannot come into work because you or your workers are in one of the affected groups (including being sick with COVID-19 or identified as a close contact by health official through the National Contact Tracing process) and
- cannot work from home
The LSS is paid as a 2-week lump sum per eligible employee, and paid at a flat rate of:
- $585.80 a week for full-time workers who were working 20 hours or more a week
- $350 a week for part-time workers who were working less than 20 hours a week
There are other criteria that could make this available to you or your business. Click here for the application process.
PLEASE NOTE – You cannot get more than one COVID-19 payment for the same employee at the same time.
Should you need any assistance with the application processes or have queries regarding your eligibility, please contact us to assist.
Our contact details:
RECEPTION: Emily: 07 885 1022, Ext. 740
DIRECTORS:
Debbie: Email. debbieg@grahambrown.co.nz, Mobile. 021 447 297
Brendon: Email. brendon@grahambrown.co.nz, Mobile. 027 270 3699
Phillip: Email. phillip@grahambrown.co.nz, Mobile. 027 249 6354
Jasmine: Email. jasminevh@grahambrown.co.nz, Mobile. 027 254 3930
CEO: 07 885 1022, Ext. 735
Richard: Email. richardr@grahambrown.co.nz, Mobile. 027 276 8552
PUTARURU MANAGERS: 07 885 1022
Kimberley: Email. kimc@grahambrown.co.nz, Ext. 746
Linda: Email. linda@grahambrown.co.nz, Ext. 747
Julie G: Email. julieg@grahambrown.co.nz, Ext. 742
Shannon: Email. shannond@grahambrown.co.nz, Ext. 714
Ashleigh: Email. ashleighh@grahambrown.co.nz, Ext. 741
Cameron: Email. camerons@grahambrown.co.nz, Ext. 728
Shane: Email. shanef@grahambrown.co.nz, Ext. 748
TOKOROA MANAGERS: 07 886 7098
Arnel: Email. arnelr@grahambrown.co.nz, Ext. 220
Carol: Email. carolb@grahambrown.co.nz, Ext. 221
Richard W: Email. richardw@grahambrown.co.nz, Ext. 212
Kyla: Email. kylam@grahambrown.co.nz, Ext. 211
Leonie: Email. leonien@grahambrown.co.nz, Ext. 222
PAYROLL TEAM: 07 885 1022
Rina: Email. rinat@grahambrown.co.nz, Ext. 708
Christina: Email. christinam@grahambrown.co.nz, Ext 734
Julie Still is on leave over the lockdown period and Linda will be looking after her clients.
Please take care of yourselves and those around you and do not hesitate to contact us should you need to, we are here to help.
From the Team at Graham Brown & Co
Kia kaha, stay safe