Press release
Claims process opens tomorrow for Covid Restrictions Support Scheme to support businesses significantly impacted by Covid restrictions - Donohoe
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe TD, has today (Monday) welcomed the announcement by the Revenue Commissioners that the claims process for businesses registered for the Covid Restriction Support Scheme (CRSS) will open tomorrow, Tuesday 17th November.
There are two steps required to make a claim under the CRSS. The qualifying person must first register for CRSS on Revenue Online Service’ (ROS) and then complete a claim in respect of a claim period or claim periods. Revenue has been accepting registrations for the scheme since 1 November, and claims will be accepted from tomorrow with payments made shortly thereafter. Eligible businesses who have registered for CRSS on the Revenue Online Service (ROS) can access the claims portal via the eRepayments system on ROS.
A business can make a claim for the current restrictive period up to 1 December. If a business was restricted in a relevant geographical location at Level 3 their period will run from 13 October to 1 December, whereas the claim period for a business affected at Level 4 or 5 will be different. One payment will be made in respect of the claim period, with payments made within 3 days of a qualifying claim.
For any future restricted periods, a business can make a claim prospectively for the expected restrictive period, in blocks of 3 weeks or part thereof. Businesses will reassess their eligibility for each claim. This will allow the system to take account of any change in circumstances and minimise the risk of overpayments.
The CRSS is a targeted support for businesses significantly impacted by restrictions introduced by the Government under public health regulations to combat the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The CRSS is designed to assist those businesses where Government restrictions, set out in the Government’s ‘Living with COVID-19 Plan”, prohibit or significantly restrict customers from accessing their business premises. Under the Scheme, qualifying businesses can apply to the Revenue Commissioners for a cash payment in respect of an advance credit for trading expenses for the period of the restrictions.
Over 9,500 businesses have already registered for the scheme on ROS.
Revenue has publiched detailed guidance on the operation of the scheme on www.revenue.ie .
Minister Donohoe said:
‘The CRSS has been designed specifically with the needs of businesses that have been most directly impacted by public health restrictions at its heart and is simple and straightforward to apply for’.
“This Government will continue to support such businesses while they cannot trade normally, and put them in a position to ensure viability so that they are in a stronger position as the public health situation improves and the economy recovers.
“The CRSS is an important element in the extensive range of supports that the Government has put in place to assist businesses through the Covid-19 pandemic, including wage and income supports and a range of measures announced as part of Budget 2021 to support particular sectors, including tourism and live entertainment.
“I’m encouraging all eligible businesses to submit their claim using the eRepayments system and ROS and if they have not already done so to register with Revenue on ROS so that they can participate in the scheme. Revenue has again proven to be highly responsive in putting arrangements in place so that qualifying businesses completing the claims process tomorrow will receive payment by the end of this week, giving them much needed support during this challenging time.”
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
Outline of Scheme
| Weekly turnover | Rate | Amount |
| First €20,000 | 10% | €2,000 |
| Next €60,000 | 5% | €3,000 |
| Maximum payment | €5,000 |
Duration
The scheme will operate from 13 October 2020 to 31 March 2021 and there is provision for the Minister for Finance to vary aspects of the scheme by Ministerial Order.
Purpose of the scheme
The CRSS is a targeted support for businesses significantly impacted by restrictions introduced by the Government under public health regulations to combat the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Qualification criteria (please see Revenue.ie for full details)
In order to qualify for participation in the scheme, businesses will need to:
Operation of the scheme
Qualifying businesses will be able to make a claim to Revenue under the CRSS for a cash payment, which will be known as an “Advance Credit for Trading Expenses” (“ACTE”). The ACTE will provide an immediate cash support to businesses. The amount of the ACTE will be based on an amount equal to 10% of the average weekly turnover of the business in 2019 (or in the case of new businesses, the average weekly turnover in 2020) up to €20,000 and 5% thereafter, subject to a maximum weekly payment of €5,000.
All eligible businesses can claim the support irrespective of their turnover levels, but the amount of the ACTE cannot exceed the lower of the amount based on 10%/5% of the relevant weekly turnover or €5,000 per week.
Where Covid restrictions for a geographical region are extended beyond the date on which they were due to expire, a new claim is required for each extension period.
Other Business Supports
The key supports and resources available to help businesses impacted by COVID-19 are outlined on https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/ .