Businesses say they’re still waiting for State Government support payments some six weeks into the Greater Sydney lockdown.
Applications for the COVID-19 business grant opened on July 19 but a number of businesses have told the Weekender their applications remain ‘in progress’ with no sign of cash.
Social media is also full of reports from business owners suggesting they’re still waiting to see the money. Some have been closed since the start of the lockdown without earning any revenue.
Could someone at the press conference today with the NSW Premier please ask about delays with the NSW business grant being processed? So many people still waiting . . . Impossible to talk to anyone at @ServiceNSW #nswpol
— Ash Kaye (@Mumdeep) August 3, 2021
Impacted businesses can claim between $7,500 and $15,000 to cover the first three weeks of restrictions.
“We applied on the first day of the grant being open and we still haven’t had the application approved,” one business owner said.
On July 18, a press released issued by Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said businesses would start receiving funds from the end of July, a month after the lockdown started.
“From the outset of the pandemic, we’ve always said we would do whatever was necessary to protect people and jobs and this suite of measures will do exactly that,” he said.
@cokeefe9 @9NewsSyd Can someone ask the Premier when business support will start happening? I've applied for the Business grant and Jobsaver and no word back. I can't even get a callback from @ServiceNSW. 3 weeks of no work and no NSW Govt support at all. Turnover is down 98%.
— Dirk.S (@dirk_st76) August 3, 2021
When contacted by the Weekender, a spokesperson for the Department of Customer Service assured that payments have commenced flowing to businesses.
“The 2021 COVID Business Grants opened on 19 July, with payments commencing on 20 July. As of 3 August $217.4 million has been paid, with a further $55.5 million approved with payment to follow in the coming days,” the spokesperson said.
“Applications for the JobSaver program opened on 26 July, with fortnightly payments commencing on 2 August. As of 3 August $47.2 million has been paid, with a further $47.7 million approved with payment to follow in the coming days.”
Troy Dodds is the Weekender’s Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.
