
How to get a Government coronavirus grant

Updated: 4 May 2020
Many of you are asking us if your business is eligible for UK Government aid during the coronavirus outbreak. And how and when can you get the money. This post answers your questions about the grants for small businesses.
Crucially, your business is only eligible for a grant if you have a property on which you pay rates. Instead, if you’re self-employed, you might be eligible for the Self Employed Income Support Scheme.
England | Scotland | Wales | Northern Ireland
Here’s what’s in this post:
£10,000 grant for small businesses
£10,000 or £25,000 grant for retail, hospitality and leisure
Can you get both grants?
Are the Government coronavirus grants taxable?
Summary of all Government aid for businesses
Grants for small businesses in Scotland
Grants for small businesses in Wales
Grants for small businesses in Northern Ireland
£10,000 grant for small businesses
What is it?
This scheme is called the Small Business Grant Scheme. Via local authorities, it will give grants to small businesses that get small business rate relief (SBBR) and/or rural rate relief (RRR).
The Scheme will give one-off grants of £10,000 to eligible businesses.
Is your business eligible?
You’re eligible for a grant under the Small Business Grant Scheme if you match all these criteria:
Your business:
- is based in England, and
- occupies a property, and
- already receives small business rate relief (SBRR) and/or rural rate relief
Can’t remember if you get one of these types of rate relief? Check your latest rates bill – the relief is shown on there. Alternatively, ask your accountant.
Similar schemes are available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – see below for details.
How and when do you get the money?
You don’t need to do anything yet. Your local council will contact you if your business is eligible.
Eligible businesses will get the full £10,000
The Government announced that these grants will be available in early April 2020. To find out exactly when the money will be available, look out for an announcement on the UK Government website or your local council’s website.
£10,000 or £25,000 grant for retail, hospitality and leisure
What is it?
This scheme is called the Retail and Hospitality Grant Scheme. It will offer a cash grant of either £10,000 or £25,000 per property to businesses in retail, hospitality and leisure.
Businesses with a rateable value of under £15,000 will get £10,000
Businesses with a rateable value of between £15,001 and £51,000 will get £25,000
Is your business eligible?
You’re eligible for this grant if your business:
- is based in England, and
- operates in the retail, hospitality and/or leisure sector
Similar schemes are available in Scotland and Wales – see below for details.
The Government stated that this Scheme is for businesses with properties entirely or mainly used:
- as shops, restaurants, cafés, drinking establishments, cinemas and live music venues
- as hotels, guest and boarding premises and self-catering accommodation
- for assembly and leisure
Not sure if your business comes under one of these categories? There’s a full list of how the Government define them in this guidance document, pages 5 to 8.
How and when do you get the money?
You don’t need to do anything yet. Your local council will contact you if your business is eligible.
Eligible businesses will get the full £10,000 or £25,000
To find out exactly when the money will be available, look out for an announcement on the UK Government website or your local council’s website.
Can you get both grants?
No. The Government has confirmed that if your business property is eligible for the Small Business Grant Scheme, it won’t be eligible for the Retail and Hospitality Grant Scheme. You can only get one grant per property. (Source: Government guidance for local authorities, Grant Funding Schemes, PDF, page 6, point 26)
Are the Government coronavirus grants taxable?
Yes. The grants given by the Small Business Grant Scheme and the Retail and Hospitality Grant Scheme are ‘income’ and therefore taxable.
Source: Gov.uk | Guidance (PDF, page 7, point 36)
The grants given by the Self Employed Income Support Scheme are also taxable.
Grants for small businesses in Scotland
The aid available for small businesses in Scotland is similar to that available for businesses based in England but the eligibility criteria are slightly different.
The UK Government has published comprehensive information and guidance for people and businesses in Scotland.
Small and medium-sized businesses in Scotland can apply for a grant from the Creative, Tourism and Hospitality Enterprises Hardship Fund and the Pivotal Enterprise Resilience Fund. Find out what’s available, if you might be eligible and what you need to submit at the FindBusinessSupport website:
Gov.scot | Guidance notes for applicants
Latest coronavirus updates from the Scottish Government
Grants for small businesses in Wales
The aid available for small businesses in Wales is similar to that available for businesses based in England but the eligibility criteria are slightly different.
For more information, read Coronavirus: support for businesses on the Welsh Government’s website.
The UK Government has published comprehensive information and guidance for people and businesses in Wales.
Grants for small businesses in Northern Ireland
The aid available for small businesses in Northern Ireland is similar to that available for businesses based in England but the eligibility criteria are slightly different.
Keep an eye on this page where the Government is publishing and updating the information: NI Business Info
Have your say
How is the coronavirus affecting you and your small business? We’re keen to hear from you – get in touch with us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.
Be among the first to know how to access Government aid and help from Tide.
For updates direct to your inbox, join our mailing group.
Sources
Here are the pages we used to put together this information:
UK Government
- Guidance | COVID-19: support for businesses | Support for businesses that pay business rates
- Apply for business rates relief
- Apply for rural rate relief
- Small business rate relief
- Factsheet | Rural rate relief (PDF)
- Guidance | Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government | Business rates: expanded retail discount
Scottish Government
Welsh Government
Business and employers: coronavirus
Northern Ireland Executive
- NI Business info | Coronavirus: Business Support Grant Schemes
- Department for the Economy | COVID-19: Business Support Grant Schemes
Photo by Florencia Viadana on Unsplash