Flood Disaster Small Business Grant

KEY TAKE-OUTS

• Following the recent storms and floods throughout February and March 2022 small businesses and not-for-profit organisations in NSW may be eligible for a storm and flood disaster grant.
• The disaster recovery grant of up to $50,000 is to assist with the costs of clean-up and reinstatement of business operations.
• The grant is available to small businesses, not-for-profit organisations and sole traders directly impacted by the disaster.

The NSW Government has recently released details and guidelines for the Storm and Flood Disaster Recovery Small Business Grant. The grant is aimed to assist small businesses and not-for-profit organisations which have been directly impacted by the February and March 2022 floods.

The disaster grant is to assist businesses with the costs of clean up as well as reinstatement of business operations. Service NSW has outlined the following covered costs, which are not limited to:

• Payment of tradespeople to conduct safety inspections
• Equipment and materials required for cleaning up
• Equipment and materials essential for immediately resuming operations
• Payment for a cleaner if the service would not have been needed, or exceeds ordinary cleaning costs, in the absence of a disaster
• The removal and disposal of debris, damaged materials or damaged stock
• Repairing premises and internal fittings
• Leasing temporary premises, replacing or repair of motor vehicles, or replacing lost or damaged stock, if it’s essential for resuming operations

Available funding

The maximum grant amount available is $50,000. Service NSW has advised that applicants will be provided to eligible, approved applicants based on quotes or estimates which are submitted at application.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this grant, you must be a small business owner or a not-for-profit organisation located in a ‘defined disaster area’ at the time of the disaster, and:

• Have suffered direct damage as a result of the floods;
• Be primarily responsible for meeting the costs you are claiming;
• Intend to re-establish your small business or not-for-profit organisation within the same area;
• Small businesses must have held an ABN and engaged in carrying on the small business at the time of the floods;
• Not-for-profit organisations must be registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) or an equivalent state regulatory body and have held registration at the time of the disaster.

You may also be eligible if your small business or not-for-profit organisation is located outside of the defined disaster area but operates on a part-time or regular basis within the defined disaster area.

Sole traders with no employees who fulfil the above criteria are also eligible to apply if you can confirm that a majority of your income is from the small business, or:

• Immediately after the eligible disaster, you were derived a majority of your income from the business
• The majority of your income would have come from the business if not for the eligible disaster

Applications

An application guide is available on the Service NSW website to assist with the application procedure, including a details step-by-step guide.

You will be required to provide the following:

• A MyService NSW Account, this can be created when you start your application
• Your proof of identity
• Your valid ABN/ACN number
• Evidence of your non-profit status (if applicable)
• Your business banking details for payment

You will also be required to provide the required evidence, quotes and/or invoices depending on the amount you are claiming.

Auditing requirements

It has been recommended by Service NSW that those applying for the grant are responsible for obtaining their own legal and financial advice regarding the relevant terms and conditions.

As there are possibilities of being audited in the future. It is also recommended to keep all documentary evidence relating to your application/s and assistance provided under the scheme for at least one year after the closing date for application.

For more information on eligible grants for small businesses, reach out to our commercial team at Coutts to book an appointment to seek your advice!