Coronavirus: Local Restriction Support Grants

Business Support Grants

There are now at least 11 different government grant schemes which businesses can apply for. They have similar names and it can be confusing to know which you should apply for.

We have attempted to simplify the process for you. Simply complete the full form and the supplementary form and we will work out what you may be eligible for, and pay you as soon as possible.

At the moment, businesses will fall into one of three categories:

1. You haven't applied for any grants from November 2020 onwards.

If this is you, please use the button below to complete the full application form

Complete the full application form

Please check the list below to make sure you have all the required information to hand before you start the form.

2. You have completed one full application form since November 2020

You now need to complete the supplementary form. Please click the button below to open the form.

Please note, you will not be able to submit this form until we have received and processed your full application form, whether your application is refused or approved.

Complete the supplementary form

This form will tell you which grants you should be eligible for and submit your claim.

You will need the case reference number from your first approved application. It will look like this RP/12345

Please check the list below to make sure you have all the required information to hand before you start the form.

We received a few applications for the wrong scheme, who were then invited to apply for the correct scheme. Please use the reference number for whichever of your applications was approved.

According to our records, approximately 100 November grants are waiting for further information. If you have applied but not received a payment, please check your spam folder for any emails from us. It will help if you add info.H1@swdevon.gov.uk to your trusted email list.

Please return any information we have asked for quickly so that we can process your grant.

3. You have completed one full application form and the LRSG (Open) form, which went live in December.

If you have completed both of these forms, you don't need to do anything. We will be in touch if we need any further information or if you qualify for any future grants.

Please do not submit multiple applications as this slows down the process for you and other businesses.

We have received additional funding from the Government for the Additional Restrictions Grant Scheme. This means we can now offer the grant to more businesses which were impacted during the November lockdown. We are reassessing all the claims and will directly contact affected businesses who may now qualify. 

What do I need to apply?

If you are completing the Full application form, you will need the following:

• Unique Identifying number for your business such as:
  • Company Reference Number 
  • VAT Registration Number,
  • Self-Assessment/Partnership Number,
  • Unique Taxpayer Reference,
  • Registered Charity Number 
  • Sole Traders may be asked for their National Insurance Number
• Evidence of how your business was impacted during the lockdown/restriction period
• Evidence that you were trading before the restrictions came into force on 4 Nov 2020
• Net Income for the same time period in previous years (if applicable)
• Ongoing fixed costs
• Details of other grant awards and any state aid received#
• Bank Account details
  • Clear, full page copies of the most recent business bank statement. This should match the account that the grant is to be paid into.
  • Make sure that the statement shows your address, account details and transactions for the three months leading up to November 2020.
  • Photographs or screenshots are fine as long as the information can be read.

For the Supplementary Form, you will need the following:

• You may be asked to provide net income figures for the December and January period for previous years (e.g. 2018, 2019 and 2020).
• Clear, full page copies of the most recent business bank statement.
  • This should match the account that the grant is to be paid into.
  • Make sure that the statement shows your address, account details and transactions covering December/January
  • Photographs or screenshots are fine as long as the information can be read.

How Much will I Receive?

Grant income received by a business is taxable and will need to be included on the tax return of the business.

State Aid Regulations

The grants issued to businesses in response to the COVID-19 outbreak are classed as 'state aid.'

State aid is when taxpayer funded resources are used to provide assistance to one or more organisations in a way that gives an advantage over others. 

As part of your application, you will be asked to confirm that your business will not exceed the state aid limits, as set down in law, if the grant is paid.

You will need to confirm how much state aid you have received within the current and previous two financial years. If you are not sure if help you have received qualifies as state aid, you should contact the awarding body or seek independent advice.

For the avoidance of doubt, any grants received from the Council would be considered state aid and you will need to declare these on your form.

You will also be asked to confirm that you are not an 'Undertaking in Distress' (within the meaning of Article 2(18) of the General Block Exemption Regulation) on 31 December 2019).

You can read more about state aid and the definition of an 'Undertaking in Distress' here.

Fraudulent Applications and Use of Your Data

The Government will not accept deliberate manipulation and fraud. Any business caught falsifying their records to gain additional grant money will face prosecution and any funding issued will be subject to claw back, as may any grants paid in error.

Grant applications and award details will be shared with Central Government to ensure that applications that are false or fraudulent will have to repay the Grant. Any appropriate criminal prosecution will commence. Any Grant paid in error will also have to be repaid. 

The information you have provided as part of the Grant application will be held securely by the Council and may be used to assist with the billing and collection of Council Tax and/or Non-Domestic Rates.  Information may be shared with:

• other Council Departments,
• other Government bodies such as HM Revenue & Customs, and
• other organisations to carry out our functions as a local authority, or if required to do so by law. 

Information provided through the Grant application will also be shared with the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. Grant recipients may be contacted for research and evaluation purposes.

Information regarding Grant applications will also be shared with the Council's Environmental Health team. This is to ensure action can be taken against Businesses mandated to close that do not follow the law during the period of lockdown.

By completing the application form, you are confirming that you have read and understand the above information.

Processing your Application

Some applications to the grant scheme will be processed by staff from Devon County Council and Business Information Point. This is to assist with the volume of applications.

Other information

To read the full details of the LRSG (Open) scheme, please  use this link [243.16KB] to download a PDF copy.