A Discretionary Grant Fund is available for small and micro-businesses that are adversely affected by the Coronavirus and are not eligible for other grant schemes.

The grant amount is discretionary and may be up to £25,000, £10,000 or any amount under £10,000.

The grant is assessed & administered by Local Authorities. A business is potentially eligible for this fund if it:

• Is based in England.
• Has fewer than 50 employees.
• Has fixed building costs such as rent.
• Was trading on 11 March 2020.
• Has been adversely impacted by the Coronavirus.
• Is not eligible for the Small Business Grant Fund or the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund.

Priority applications are given to:

• Small businesses in shared offices or other flexible workspaces, such as units in industrial parks or business incubators.
• Regular market traders.
• Bed and breakfasts paying council tax instead of business rates.
• Charity properties getting charitable business rates relief, which are not eligible for small business rates relief or rural rate relief.

You cannot apply if:

• Your business is in administration, insolvent or has received a striking-off notice.
• If you’re already claiming under another government grant scheme, although you may also claim for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme or Self-Employed Income Support Scheme.

How to apply

This grant opened on 29 May 2020. It closed on 17 June 2020.

Go to your local council’s website to apply.

Links

COVID-19: Grant funding for business

What cash grants are available to support businesses during the Coronavirus crisis?

COVID-19: Government Support Tracker

This tracker covers measures announced by the government to support individuals and businesses, as we get through COVID-19.

External links

Gov.UK Apply for the Discretionary Fund

Gov.UK Local Authority Discretionary Fund Guidance for Local Authorities