As the lockdown for New Zealand have extended., there is a new wage subsidy scheme open at 9.00am on Friday 26 November to 11.59pm, 09 December 2021.

This is for all businesses and self-employed people who have or predict at least a 40% decline in their revenue from 23 November to 06 December and meet all the eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria will be same as https://www.strong.co.nz/news/2021/8/19/msd-covid-19-wage-subsidy

Business that applied for the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh round of wage subsidy can apply for the eighth round as well if meet all of the eligibility criteria for Wage Subsidy #8. However, if someone applied on 25 November for the seventh round, they could apply for the eighth round on 09 December. Early applications can't be accepted as each payment is for two weeks.

Businesses that didn't apply for the initial wage subsidy are welcome to apply for Wage Subsidy #8 from 26 November providing they meet all the eligibility criteria.

To ensure payments are processed as quickly as possible, it's very important the information provided in the application matches that held by Inland Revenue. If the information doesn't match, it may delay the processing of an application.

For more information, please refer to: https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/covid-19/wage-subsidy/index.html

We are also able to apply wage subsidy on your behalf,. If you are interested in applying wage subsidy, please don’t hesitate to contact us via celia@strong.co.nz.

Please note that this is the last wage subsidy available as New Zealand is going to implement the traffic light system.

Be well and stay safe.