The Government’s Resurgence Support Payment (RSP) has been updated to better support newly established businesses.

The RSP is a one-off payment that helps businesses with costs like rent or fixed costs during higher Alert Levels. When this Covid-19 response scheme was first established last year the criteria was included that businesses had to have been operating for at least six months to be eligible for the payment.

“I acknowledge concerns that particularly during an extended period at higher alert levels this rule is overly restrictive. As such Ministers with power to act have agreed to reduce the time required for a business to have been in operation to be eligible for the RSP, from six months to one month.

“These businesses will still be required to meet the other eligibility requirements under the scheme, such as demonstrating a 30 percent decline in revenue,” Grant Robertson said.

David Parker said businesses will be able to apply under the new criteria from 8am on Thursday 9 September.

“Inland Revenue will communicate this change and contact any businesses who were declined for not meeting the six-month test to advise them of the new criteria and invite them to reapply under the new settings.” Read more here.