Western Cape C-19 Business Relief Fund | Western Cape Government

Western Cape C-19 Business Relief Fund

applications_are_closed_banner.jpg

The Western Cape C-19 Business Relief Fund

Background

Whereas government departments, agencies, development finance institutions (DFIs) and the private sector (primarily through commercial banks) announced relief packages to support SMMEs, the impact of COVID-19 (C-19) continues to cause disruptions and uncertainty in the economy.

The Western Cape Government has estimated that 170 000 jobs will be lost due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is thus critical that a fund providing relief to businesses operating in the Western Cape Province be implemented to minimise the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose and Objectives

The purpose of the Fund is to alleviate the economic impact on small and micro enterprises operating in the Western Cape caused by COVID-19. The Fund will provide relief in the form of financial grants to the affected enterprises.

In providing support and assistance to selected businesses, the objective of the Fund is to contribute to the sustainability of qualifying Western Cape enterprises i.e. for the assisted enterprises to remain going concerns (sustainability) during the C-19 crisis in order to emerge (post the crisis) as viable labour-absorbing businesses

 

Call for Applications

call_for_proposals_.jpg

The application guideline, which must be reviewed before submitting your application can be downloaded here

To apply in the Formal business category, please click on https://forms.gle/h38hGtS7ppzZfb7WA

To apply in the Informal business category, please click on https://forms.gle/UEsRhEjhPnHMxT2K8

Applicants must submit all the supporting documents via email to  Dedat.Relief@westerncape.gov.za 

The closing date for applications was 12 October 2020 at 10h00.

 


The Fund

  • The C-19 Business Relief Fund will be a non-sector specific fund that will support micro and small enterprises operational in the Western Cape.
  • Assistance from the Fund will be provided in two categories i.e. to formal and informal businesses.
  • Assistance can be applied for from one category only.
  • The Fund will provide financial assistance in the form of a financial grant to businesses that has been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Businesses who have benefited from any government relief initiatives will not be considered for assistance from the C-19 Business Relief Fund.
  • The grant will be used exclusively to subsidise business related expenses such as fixed costs, operational costs, supplier debt and other pressure cost items.
  • The number of employees will be used as a qualitative consideration when adjudicating applications.
  • The Fund will exclude payments of and towards salaries and wages.
  • The assistance afforded to formal business will be capped at approximately R200 000, 00 per business. The Department reserves the right to determine a higher or lesser amount and the right to fund selected components of the approved application.
  • The assistance afforded to informal business will be capped at approximately R15 000, 00 in total. The Department reserves the right to determine a higher or lesser amount and the right to fund selected components of a proposal.
  • All qualifying (only business related) expenses should be substantiated with reasonable supporting documents. The acceptance of such supporting documents will be at the discretion of the Department.

 

Qualifying criteria formal businesses

formal businesses

     

Qualifying criteria for informal business

Informal businesses

Applicants in this category must be:

  • tax compliant at the time the application is submitted;
  • formally registered or incorporated e.g. with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC);
  • classified as a micro or small enterprise in terms of the National Small Enterprises Act (Act 102 of 1996 as amended) - https://bit.ly/35TLIue ;
  • in formal existence for more than 2 years;
  • in good financial standing pre-COVID -19 (as at 29 Feb 2020);
  • operating in the Western Cape;
  • 100% South African owned;
  • able to demonstrate how the business was negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The following documents must be submitted to the Department:

  • Tax Clearance Certificate or Tax Compliance Status letter or Pin;
  • Copy of Company registration documents for registered companies;
  • Annual Financial Statements for two years (2017/18; 2018/19);
  • Proof of business address (lease/utility account);
  • Copy of Identity documents of all owners;
  • Payroll report indicating number of employees;
  • Management accounts (income and expenditure for the period January to August 2020);
  • Supporting documents substantiating the funding request submitted.
     

Applicants in this category must be:

  • 100% South African owned;
  • operating in the Western Cape;
  • in possession of a valid municipal trade permit to trade;
  • operational at the time of applying for assistance;
  • in possession of an active bank account in the applicant’s name;
  • able to demonstrate how the business was negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic; and
  • employ at least one person in addition to the owner (the Department reserves the right to request supporting documents to substantiate employment figures submitted).
  • Although tax registration is not a qualifying criterion when applying, applicants are encouraged to register with SARS as no funds will be disbursed to business owners that are not registered with SARS.

The following documents must be submitted to the Department:

  • Copies of Identity documents of all owners;
  • Municipal trading permit;
  • Management accounts or Bank statements for the period February to August 2020; and
  • Supporting documents substantiating the funding request submitted.

 

 


Adjudication process

The Department will follow a formal adjudication process. The adjudication process will entail, inter alia, an assessment and verification of the application and supporting documents.

Disbursement of funds

  • Successful applicants will be required to enter into a formal agreement with the Department and commit to participate in the Department’s Monitoring and Evaluation programme.
  • Where businesses are unable to apply digital signatures to the agreement, documents will be emailed to them and they will be required to physically sign the documents and scan mail to Dedat.Relief@westerncape.gov.za
  • Informal business owners that are successful in their application and are not registered for tax will be required to register for tax before any funds are disbursed. These businesses will be given five (5) working days after notification of their successful application to provide the Department with their tax registration number.
  • Informal business owners that are registered for tax will be required to produce a letter of tax compliance or similar.
  • The names and value of assistance of the successful applicants will be published on the Department’s website.

Application process

Please follow the guidance and information provided below:

  1. The application process entails the completion of the required information online and the submission of the required supporting documents;
  2. Please prepare the answers to questions before attempting to complete the application. See section 4.2 and 5.2 for the information and documentation required to prepare.
  3. Once an application is started it must be completed. The application from does not allow for answers to be saved.
  4. Only applications submitted via the online process, before the closing date and time, will be considered, no emailed applications will be considered; and
  5. Applicants must submit all the supporting documents required and listed for formal businesses or informal businesses via email to Dedat.Relief@westerncape.gov.za.
  6. To apply in the formal business category, please click on https://forms.gle/h38hGtS7ppzZfb7WA
  7. To apply in the informal business category, please click on https://forms.gle/UEsRhEjhPnHMxT2K8
  8. The closing date for submissions was 12 October 2020 at 10h00. It is advisable to submit your application as early as possible as no late applications will be considered.
  9. Should you have a question that is not addressed in this document, please send an email to the Department regarding your question to: Dedat.Relief@westerncape.gov.za

Please note: Only online applications will be accepted and evaluated

 

The content on this page was last updated on 15 October 2020