COVID-19 Response Plan - Nova Scotia Government - Support for Canadians

NS Support for Businesses

Small Business Impact Grant (closed – program has ended) 

Eligibility

• Small businesses, non-profits, or charities ordered to cease or substantially curtail operations by Order of the Chief Medical Officer of Health. Businesses must also:
• have an anticipated revenue loss for April 2020 of 30% or more
• have been established on or before March 15, 2020

Benefit

• Benefit is a one-time upfront grant of 15% of sales revenue from either April 2019 or February 2020, up to a maximum of $5,000
• Can be used for any purpose

Action Needed

• Online applications open now
• Deadline to apply is April 25, 2020
• More details available:
  • NS Small Business Impact Grant

Small Business Impact Grant Part 2 – Restaurant, Bar, and Fitness and Leisure Business Stream

Eligibility

• Businesses must be operating in the area of Halifax County or Hants County and be:
  • Full service, dine in restaurants
  • Bar or licensed drinking establishments
  • Fitness and leisure establishments
• Must be registered as a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, society, social enterprise, not-for-profit, charity in business, or other similar organization
• Pay the small business corporate tax rate on income taxes, if incorporated
• Have annual taxable capital of $15,000,000 or less
• Be experiencing a 30% or more decrease in revenues in November or December 2020

Benefit

• Eligible businesses can receive a one-time grant equal to 15% of the business’ revenue from sales for the month of April 2019 or February 2020
• Businesses that started after March 15, 2020 are eligible; grant will be 15% of sales revenue for a benchmark calendar month of their choosing, between April and October 2020

Action Needed

• The following information must be provided on application:
  • Unaudited income statement for April 2019 or February 2020
  • Business number (unless sole proprietor)
  • Recent tax document (T1, T2, etc.)
  • Banking information and image of void cheque
• More information can be found here

Government Loan Payment Deferral (closed – program has ended)

Eligibility

• All government loans, including those under the:
• Farm Loan Board
• Fisheries and Aquaculture Loan Board
• Jobs Fund
• Nova Scotia Business Fund
• Municipal Finance Corporation

Benefit

• Housing Nova Scotia
• Government will defer payments until June 30, 2020

Action Needed

• No action required

Small Business Loan Guarantee

Eligibility

• Most small businesses are eligible (specifically excluded are residential and commercial real estate; beverage rooms and taverns)
• Each application evaluated on case-by-case basis

Benefit

• Program provides financing up to $500,000 in the form of term loans, working capital and lines of credit
• COVID-19 Response Plan allows deferral of principal and interest payments until June 30, 2020, and for those who may not qualify for a loan, government will guarantee the first $100,000

Action Needed

• Application is through local Credit Union

COVID-19 Agriculture Response Program

Eligibility

• These businesses and organizations can apply to the program:
  • Farms
  • Agri-business
  • Agricultural industry associations
  • Provincially or federally licensed abattoirs
  • Mi’kmaq First Nations and other indigenous organizations involved in agricultural business

Benefit

• Four streams for funding; funding does not need to be repaid
• Stream 1: COVID-19 mitigation and adaptation for health protocol
• Stream 2: COVID-19 marketing, product movement and distribution
• Stream 3: COVID-19 strategic projects
• Stream 4: COVID-19 abattoir and efficiency and development
• Details on these streams can be found here

Action Needed

• Application form available online
• Claim deadline is March 1, 2021
• Further information available here

COVID-19 Emergency On-Farm Support Fund Program

Eligibility

• Farms can apply to the program if they:
  • Are currently registered under the Farm Registration Act
  • Have an owner who is at least 19 years old
  • Report gross commodity income of at least $30,000
  • Have at least 5 employees
  • Adhere to the Federal Quarantine Act
• Eligible project costs include:
  • Adjustments to farm operations to ensure worker safety during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Personal protective equipment
  • Costs related to training workers on COVID-19 protocols

Benefit

• Applicants are eligible for assistance of 75% on eligible project costs to a maximum of $50,000
• Disposable personal protective equipment is capped at 10% of eligible project cost, to a maximum of $7,000

Action Needed

• Claim deadline is February 1, 2021
• Further details can be found here

Small Business Credit Support (closed – program has ended)

Eligibility

• Small businesses that do not qualify for the federal CEBA program
• Decline of at least 30% in revenue

Benefit

• Guaranteed loan through the Credit Union
• Cash grant of up to $1,500
• Free professional advice to help adapt and recover from the effects of COVID-19

Action Needed

• Application period is closed

NS Support for Individuals

Worker Emergency Bridge Fund (closed – program has ended)

Eligibility

• Nova Scotian residents who:
• are 18 years of age or older;
• are laid off or out of work because of COVID-19, on or after March 16, 2020;
• who don’t qualify for Employment Insurance; and earn between $5,000 and $34,000
• Have applied for (or plan to apply) for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)

Benefit

• Benefit is a one-time payment of $1,000; it can be combined with the CERB

Action Needed

• Apply by calling 1-800-863-6582 to speak with a Canadian Red Cross agent
• Documentation will need to be provided with application (Record of Employment for employees; SIN, CRA business number and 2018 personal income tax return if self-employed)
• More details available:
  • NS Worker Emergency Bridge Fund

Federal Support for Canadians

• For our summary of the Federal support programs for businesses and individuals, please visit HERE