Late last week, ServiceNSW released updated guidance on the reconfirmation process that businesses and non-profit entities will need to follow to continue receiving payments under the JobSaver and Micro-business Grant schemes.
Broadly, entities will need to confirm each fortnight that they have maintained their headcount as at 13 July 2021 and that they have continued to experience a decline in turnover of at least 30%.
When it comes to the decline in turnover condition there are two main approaches, depending on whether the business has traded during the relevant fortnight:
Option 1: If the initial comparison period was in 2019 or 2020, then you can use the same year but adjust the comparison period to match the current fortnight that is being tested.
For example, if you initially compared the period of 26 July to 8 August 2021 to 26 July to 8 August 2019, and you are now reconfirming your eligibility for the period of 13 September to 26 September 2021, then your comparison period is 13 September to 26 September 2019. You cannot use 13 September to 26 September 2020 as your comparison period in this example.
Option 2: If the initial comparison period was in 2019 or 2020, then you can use the same year but use the same comparison period that you used in your original application.
For example, if you initially compared the period of 26 July to 8 August 2021 to 26 July to 8 August 2019, and you are now reconfirming your eligibility for the period of 13 September to 26 September 2021, then your comparison period remains 26 July to 8 August 2019. This comparison period will remain fixed for all future periods.
Option 3: If 12 June to 25 June 2021 was used as the initial comparison period then you must use the same period as your initial application when reconfirming eligibility.
For example, if you initially compared the period of 26 July to 8 August 2021 to 12 June to 25 June 2021, and you are now reconfirming your eligibility for the period of 13 September to 26 September 2021, then your comparison period remains 12 June to 25 June 2021. This comparison period will remain fixed for all future periods.
Other key points that have been confirmed by Service NSW are summarised below: