The Department of Small Business Development has introduced relief mechanisms for SMME’s impacted negatively by the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Please find mechanisms, criteria and processes to be completed below:
Debt Relief Financial Scheme
For businesses which are negatively affected directly or indirectly due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Qualifying Criteria
• Provision of a business profile;
• Ability to prove that the business has been negatively affected by the Covid-19 Pandemic;
• The business must have been registered with the CIPC by at least 28 February 2020;
• The business must be 100% South African owned;
• 70% of Employees must be South African;
• Business must be registered and compliant with SARS and UIF (Seda will assist micro-enterprises to comply and requests for assistance must be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., whereas small and medium enterprises must ensure own compliance);
• SMME Employers who are not compliant with UIF must register before applying for relief;
• Provision of company statutory documents, certified copies of directors ID’s & FICA documents;
• Provision of latest 3 months bank statements;
• Provision of latest Annual Financial Statements and/or latest Management Accounts (not older than 3 months from date of application);
• Ability to supply 6 month’s Cash Flow projections (where applicable);
• Provision of facility statements of other funders;
• Copy of lease agreements and proof of ownership if applying for rental relief;
• If applying for payroll relief: details of employees as registered with UIF and including bank details, as payments will be made directly to employees;
• Ability to supply a detailed breakdown on application of funds, including salaries, rent etc.
• Business must be registered on the National SMME Database – http://smmesa.gov.za; and
• Completion of the simple on-line application form.
Notes:
Priority will be given to businesses owned by women, youth and people with disabilities.
Application Process
• Register on http://smmesa.gov.za
• Complete online Application Form (to be released on Thursday, 2 April 2020)
• Upload required supporting documents
Business Growth/Resilience Facilities
For businesses geared to take advantage of supply opportunities resulting from Coronavirus pandemic or shortage of goods in the local market.
Qualifying Criteria
• Provision of a business profile;
• The business must have been registered with the CIPC by at least 28 February 2020 (registration documents required);
• Provision of relevant industry certification(where applicable);
• The business must be 100% South African owned;
• 70% of Employees must be South African;
• Business must be registered and compliant with SARS and UIF (micro businesses who are not compliant may be assisted by Seda, requests for assistance to be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.);
• Provision of company statutory documents, certified copies of directors ID’s & FICA documents;
• Provision of latest 3 months bank statements;
• Provision of latest Annual Financial Statements and/or latest Management Accounts (not older than 3 months from date of application);
• Ability to supply 6 month’s Cash Flow projections (where applicable);
• Ability to provide estimations for funding requested;
• Business must be registered on the National SMME Database – http://smmesa.gov.za; and
• Completion of the simple on-line application form available from www.dsbd.gov.za or www.sefa.org.za .
Notes: Priority will be given to businesses owned by women, youth and people with disabilities.
Application Process
• Register on http://smmesa.gov.za
• Complete online Application Form (to be released on Thursday, 2 April 2020)
• Upload required supporting documents
Source: Pietermaritzburg & Midlands Chamber of Business www.pmcb.org.za