Coronavirus Business Support Grant

COVID-19 BUSINESS RATES SUPPORT FOR FIFE BUSINESSES

Tuesday 24 March 2020

Scottish Government Coronavirus Business Support Fund 

Grant support is now available to help business deal with the impact of COVID-19.  The purpose of these one-off grants is to help protect jobs, prevent business closure and promote economic recovery.  Two types of grant are available to ratepayers:  
  • £10,000 grant to ratepayers of businesses in receipt of the Small Business Bonus Scheme or Rural Relief.  Businesses with a rateable value up to £18,000 can apply.  You can also get this grant if you applied for Nursery Relief or Disabled Relief but are eligible for the Small Business Bonus Scheme.

 

  • Retail, hospitality and leisure business ratepayers with a rateable value between £18,001 - £50,999 can apply for a one-off grant of £25,000.

 

Additional grants for ratepayers with multiple properties
Following the award of an initial one-off grant, each additional property for which the applicant is the ratepayer, which also meets the eligibility criteria will qualify for a grant equal to 75% of the grant.  A separate application is required for each property.

Cumulative Rateable Value Grant
Commencing 5 May ratepayers of properties in the Retail, Hospitality, and Leisure sectors whose individual rateable values do not exceed £18,000, and whose cumulative rateable value is between £35,001 and £500,000 –  will now be able apply for the Small Business Grant Fund for each of their qualifying retail, hospitality, or leisure properties.

Grant for Tenants and Occupiers
Tenants and/or occupiers of non-domestic properties such as shared office spaces, incubators and industrial units, where they are not the ratepayer but can evidence that they are required to contribute towards the charges associated with the non-domestic rates liability via the ratepayer for that property may now be eligible for the SBGF, provided the property meets the necessary qualifying criteria, and satisfactory supporting evidence can be provided.

If you wish to apply for relief and/or a grant you should submit an application online by visiting www.fife.gov.uk/coronavirus-business ( select the "Scottish Government Coronavirus Business Support Fund" dropdown then download the COVID-19 Business Support Fund Application Form)

BUSINESS SUPPORT GRANTS - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

Q1. How can I find out if I am eligible?

Please visit:  https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/health-and-social-care2/coronavirus-covid-19/businesses-and-employers/scottish-government-business-support-fund

Q2. How can I apply?

Please visit https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/health-and-social-care2/coronavirus-covid-19/businesses-and-employers/scottish-government-business-support-fund

The application form is available on Word or PDF format and both can be edited and emailed to the rates team  rates.team@fife.gov.uk.  When you email the rates team, you should receive an automatic reply email saying they have received your email. If you haven't received the email, please checked you have the right email address and try submitting again

Q3. I don’t know my Rates account number?

If you are unable to locate your 11 digit rates account number which can be found on any correspondence issued by the Business Rates Team, please quote the 9 digit valuation reference number which can be found at https://www.saa.gov.uk/ or a 6 digit property reference number which can be found at www.fife.gov.uk/businessrates under publications.

Please ensure when completing your application you populate all other relevant fields. Should we require further verification we will contact you, by either letter or email, with your 11 digit rates reference number and ask that you resubmit your application quoting this rates reference number.

Q4. Do I need to include a copy of a bank statement?

YES. A bank statement no older than 3 months MUST  be attached to your e-mail. This can be an electronic download, a scanned copy of a paper statement or photographic image of a statement. Please note that applications without a valid bank statement will not be processed. The team will be in touch asking for this to be provided if it is not included with your email and it may take longer to process your application.

Q5. Who can I contact for an update on my application?

Please do NOT contact the Rates team for an update. The team is working really hard to process applications as quickly as they can. If there are any problems with your application or you are not eligible to apply we will contact you.  We understand your position but please bear with us.

Q6. What is the deadline for applications?

Applications can be submitted up to 31st March 2021.

Q7. I should be the ratepayer or the ratepayer eligible for Small business bonus but the Rates team have not been informed?

You need to let the rates team know of any changes by visiting : https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/business2/business-rates and completing the change of ownership or change of tenancy form. Applications for relief can be made by clicking the Business rate reductions button.

Q8. I am an occupier, but my landlord is responsible for paying rates?

The ratepayer is eligible for the grant.

Q9. When can I expect to receive a grant payment?

Payments will not commence until after 6th April 2020. Not all payments will be made then, the team are working hard to process the applications and will pass successful applications for payment as soon as possible but this process may take several weeks.

     A range of relief or discount schemes are in operation, which you may qualify for > Business Rates Support for Fife Businesses  

Wider Business Support 

 Click here to get more information on supporting your business during this pandemic The national business support helpline is also available Monday-Friday on 0300 303 0660