The Victorian Government has just announced new cash grants for businesses affected by the short lockdown necessary to get ahead of the Delta strain.
Automatic payments will be made to eligible businesses and sole traders across the state to minimise delays and get money into the pockets of businesses who need it most.
Up to 90,000 businesses that have and will receive payments through the Licensed Hospitality Venue Fund and Business Costs Assistance Program relating to the May-June lockdown will receive the Victorian Government’s new support payments of $3,000 and $2,000 respectively.
Payments are due to commence over the course of next week for eligible businesses such as restaurants, cafes, bars, event suppliers, tourism and accommodation providers and non-essential retailers.
The Victorian Government has also reached agreement with the Commonwealth Government to fund income support payments from day one of the lockdown.
Workers affected by the public health restrictions are now eligible for the same payments afforded by the Commonwealth to New South Wales workers:
- Payments of $600 will be made to Victorians that lose 20 or more of work during the period of the lockdown.
- Payments of $375 will be made to individuals that lose between 8-20 hours of work during the period of the lockdown.
- There is no liquid assets test applied to receive these payments.
The Victorian government will fund payments for Victorians who live outside of these areas but are still subjected to the lockdown.
All applications can be made through the Services Australia website.
The Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions is working with 22,000 applicants to the Business Costs Assistance Program to finalise those applications where information has been missing or further detail has been requested to confirm eligibility.
It is expected thousands of these applicants will be successful and paid by the end of next week.
The May/June support package also included the $20 million Victorian Events Support , $16 million for 80,000 regional travel vouchers and $4.4 million for the Alpine Support Program providing businesses in the alpine resorts with grants of up to $15,000.
More information about businesses support is available here.