Coronavirus: Business Support Grant Schemes

Registration is now open for businesses to apply for the £10,000 Small Business Grant Scheme

Last Update: 16 April 2020

The NI Executive is providing a one-off grant of £10,000 to businesses that are currently in receipt of Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR).

Businesses with a rateable value below £15,000 who currently benefit from Industrial Derating are also eligible for the £10,000 grant.

Please note that a number of exclusions apply to the scheme, including:

  • SBRR is automatically applied to business properties with a rateable value below £15,000, though some exclusions to SBRR apply.
  • Vacant properties are not eligible for this grant.
  • MP and MLA Constituency offices are not eligible for this grant.
  • Businesses with 3 or less premises will only be eligible for one grant of £10,000 in total.
  • Businesses with more than 3 properties are not eligible for the SBRR scheme and therefore are not eligible for the grant.

Further information – FAQs and helpline

Find further information in the frequently asked questions on the Small Business Support Grant (PDF, 696K).

If you have enquiries about the Small Business Grant Scheme call Tel: 0300 200 7809. The helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9 am – 5 pm.

When can I expect to receive the £10,000 grant payment?

6,775 eligible businesses who paid their business rates by Direct Debit were the first to receive payment (around 27 March 2020), because their bank details were already held by Land & Property Services (LPS).

(Note that if details of more than one bank account were held by LPS, for example where there are multiple business rate accounts using different bank accounts, LPS has not made an assumption on which bank account to use. In this case, you need to use the online form to provide your bank details.)

The remaining payments will be sent as soon as possible after bank account details are provided through the online form.

Already completed an online form?
If you have already registered for the scheme and provided details using the online form, your details are currently being checked. If everything is in order, you will receive an email confirming that the grant payment has been issued.

If you are not eligible to receive the grant or if there has been a problem with your registration, you will receive an email explaining why.

LPS will aim to issue these emails within a week of receiving your online form but they cannot guarantee this as it takes time to consider all of the relevant information. Be assured that applications are being worked through as quickly as possible. Please note that the payments may take three days to clear the banking process.

Rental property where the landlord pays the rates?
For rental properties, the scheme is being designed to benefit the small business who occupies the property and not the landlord or managing agent who is responsible for paying the rates. Landlords, managing agents and small businesses in this situation should not use the Small Business Grant Support online form to register for the scheme, but should wait until a new online form for rental properties is made available in the coming days.

Not yet completed an online form?
If you are a business that is currently receiving Small Business Rate Relief and you don’t fall into one of the exclusions that have been applied – ie properties that are vacant, MP/MLA Constituency offices, properties that are not deemed to be businesses such as sports halls and car parking spaces and rental properties where the landlord is the ratepayer (see point above) – you should fill in the online form to register for the scheme and provide your bank details. 

The deadline to register for this grant scheme is Wednesday 20 May 2020.

Business Support Grant Scheme Registration Form


Note: for businesses completing the online form
Businesses should be aware that:

  • If any information provided with your registration form is later found to be false, repayment of funding may be required.
  • Any payment must be declared to HMRC as appropriate as part of the tax return for the business.
  • The grants constitute State Aid. You will be asked to confirm that you agree to the State Aid Requirements when completing the online form.

£25,000 grant for business ratepayers in the hospitality, tourism and retail sectors

The NI Executive is providing a one-off grant of £25,000 to ratepayers in the hospitality, tourism and retail sectors who pay rates on a property with a rateable value between £15,001 and £51,000.

Further details on how to apply for the £25,000 Hospitality, Tourism and Retail Grant and access to the online form will be available on Monday 20 April.

Find out about additional rates support available for Northern Ireland businesses impacted by COVID-19.