From today, the MSD COVID-19 Wage Subsidy will be available to apply here: https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/online-services/covid-19/apply-checklist-wage-subsidy-august-2021-employers.html

Before starting the application, please ensure that the business have met the criteria below:

1. Prepare the revenue-drop test - The business is being or will be affected by the move to Alert Level 4 on 17 August 2021, and your business has had, or you predict will have at least a 40% decline over the period between 17 August 2021 and 30 August 2021 inclusive (this is the revenue test period), compared to a typical 14-day consecutive period of revenue in the six weeks immediately before the move to Alert Level 4 on 17 August 2021 (this is the default comparator period).

2. Have taken active steps to mitigate the impact of the move to Alert Level 4 on 17 August 2021 on your business activities.

3. At the time of making your application, you are not receiving a payment under this COVID-19 Wage Subsidy August 2021 scheme, the COVID-19 Short-term Absence Payment, COVID-19 Leave Support schemes or COVID-19 Essential Workers Support Scheme in respect of any of the named employees.

4. Each of the employees named in your application (named employee/s) is legally employed by your business, is employed in New Zealand and has not been given notice of redundancy, at the date of your application.

5. You are a registered business, sole trader or self-employed person (who may or may not employ other employees)

Your business may be eligible for the COVID-19 Resurgence Support Payment (RSP) provided by IRD as well. Receiving any other Government COVID-19 support does not affect eligibility for the RSP, which means you may could receive both MSD COVID-19 Wage Subsidy & RSP from IRD.

For more information, please refer to: https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/online-services/covid-19/declaration-wage-subsidy.html

We are also able to apply wage subsidy on your behalf,. If you are interested in applying wage subsidy, please don’t hesitate to contact us via celia@strong.co.nz.

Be well and stay safe.