Revenue update in relation to payments of CRSS and EWSS
Today (23/12/2020), Revenue has provided important information to businesses in relation to the following:
- availability of an additional seasonal Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) payment for certain businesses
- access to the scheme for businesses impacted by revised public health restrictions coming into effect on 24 December, and
- processing of CRSS and Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) payments over the Christmas and New Year period.
Additional seasonal CRSS payments
On 4 December 2020, the Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, T.D., announced an additional seasonal Covid Restriction Support Scheme (CRSS) payment for businesses, such as ‘wet’ pubs, nightclubs, discos and casinos, who cannot reopen during the Christmas and New Year period.
The additional support is available for the three weeks beginning 21 December 2020, 28 December 2020 and 4 January 2021, and provides up to double the amount of the weekly CRSS support payment due, subject to the statutory maximum payment of €5,000 per week.
A qualifying business who is registered for CRSS and who is satisfied that it meets the eligibility criteria for the additional seasonal support can make a claim now in the usual manner via the eRepayments service in ROS.
Access to CRSS for businesses impacted by revised public health restrictions coming into effect on 24 December
Yesterday (22/12/2020), the Government announced that public health restrictions will move to Level 5, with specific adjustments, on 24 December 2020. All restaurants, cafés and gastro pubs operating as restaurants as well as personal services, such as hairdressers, beauticians and barbers will close, while hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs may remain open but are restricted to essential non-social and non-tourist services only.
A qualifying person who carries on a business activity that is impacted by the revised public health restrictions, such that the business is required to prohibit or considerably restrict customers from accessing its premises, can make a claim to Revenue for a CRSS payment, subject to a maximum of €5,000, for each week that it is affected by the restrictions. Such businesses also qualify for the additional seasonal CRSS payment for the three weeks beginning 21 December 2020, 28 December 2020 and 4 January 2021.
Businesses impacted by the move to Level 5 restrictions that are already registered for CRSS, and who are satisfied that they meet the eligibility criteria for the additional seasonal support, can make a claim for payment now in the usual manner via the eRepayments service in ROS.
Businesses impacted by the move to Level 5 restrictions that are not already registered for CRSS can apply to register for the scheme via the eRegistration service in ROS once they are satisfied that they meet the eligibility criteria.
Revenue is also reminding businesses who recommenced trading following the lifting of restrictions on 4 December 2020 that they can still claim an additional CRSS ‘restart week’ of support, if they have not already done so. Eligibility for the ‘restart week’ is not affected for those businesses who are impacted by the additional restrictions that will come into effect on 24 December 2020.
Updated detailed information on the CRSS can be found at Guidelines on the operation of the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme.
Processing of CRSS and EWSS payments over the Christmas and New Year period
Revenue will process both CRSS and EWSS payment claims over the Christmas and New Year period as normal. However, Revenue advised businesses that as there are both Single Euro Payment Area (SEPA) and domestic non-banking days over the period some payments may take a little longer than usual to reach nominated bank accounts.
[Ends 22/12/2020]