COVID-19: Leave Support Scheme
August 17, 2020
From 1pm on 21 August 2020, eligibility for payments under this scheme will no longer require the employer’s business to have suffered a 30% decline in revenue. The payment under this scheme is a lump sum payment of 4 weeks per employee from the submission date of the application with the weekly payment rates being as they are for the wage subsidy payment - $585.80 for full time employees (20 hours plus a week) and $350 for part time employees (20 hours or less a week).
Payments under this scheme are in respect of employees who cannot work because they:
- Have tested positive for COVID-19 and are required to remain off work until they have been cleared by a health professional to be released from self-isolation;
o Have come into contact with someone who has COVID-19 and must self-isolate for 14 days as required by Ministry of Health guidelines;
o Are at higher risk if they get COVID-19 and Ministry of Health guidelines recommend they stay a home while public health restrictions are in place; or
o Have household members who are at higher risk if they get COVID-19 and the Ministry of Health recommends the employee also remains at home to reduce the risk to them.
It is noted that applications for this payment made before 1 pm on 21 August 2020 will still need to meet a 30% decline in revenue test.
Refer to https://www.workandincome.govt.nz/covid-19/leave-support-scheme/index.html for further details.
Author: Sheelagh McLeay
Principal
Campbell Tyson Limited