Almost to the day a year later we are back in a lockdown, this time, and only for the 2nd time in our Covid-19 life, at Level 4.
Still early in the lockdown with very little information available, we at least know the following;
The Government will be re-opening two schemes to assist the employer through the lockdown;
The Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS) which is available nationally.
Payment rates
This will be paid as a two-week lump sum at the following rates;
- $600.00 for people working 20 hours or more per week (full-time rate)
- $359.00 for people working less than 20 hours per week (part-time rate).
Applications open on Friday 20 August with the first payments usually available after three days.
The Resurgence Support Payment (RSP)
The Resurgence Support Payment (RSP) is a payment to assist businesses or organisations with one-off costs due to an Alert Level increase.
This is available to employers at the same time as the WSS.
- The RSP is worth up to $1500 plus $400 per full-time equivalent employee, up to a maximum of 50 full-time employees (so up to a total of $21,500).
As soon as we receive more information around the criteria, we will let you know.
Other subsidies that are still available
The COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme (LSS),
This scheme used to be called the ‘COVID-19 Essential Workers Leave Support’. It is available for employers, to pay their employees who can’t work because they are in one of the affected groups and Ministry of Health guidelines recommend they stay at home, and for those who can’t work from home.
A reminder you must have employees who either:
- have tested positive for COVID-19 and are required to remain off work until they’ve been cleared by a health professional to be released from self-isolation, or
- have come into contact with someone who has COVID-19 and must self-isolate for 14 days (as required by Ministry of Health guidelines)
- are at higher risk if they get COVID-19, and Ministry of Health guidelines recommend they stay at home while public health restrictions are in place
- have household members who are at higher risk if they get COVID-19 and the Ministry of Health recommends the employee also remains at home to reduce the risk to them.
Payment Rates:
- $585.80 per week for full-time workers,
- or $350.00 per week for part-time workers.
The Short-Term Absence Payment (STAP)
The Short-Term Absence Payment (STAP) provides a one-off (once per 30 days) $350.00 payment for workers who must miss work due to a COVID-19 test and cannot work from home.
The Small Business Cashflow Scheme (SBCS)
This scheme supports small to medium businesses and organisations struggling with a loss of actual revenue due to COVID-19.
Applications are open until 31 December 2023.
