R350 Covid grant returns, relief measures for businesses & employees
President Cyril Ramaphosa's announced crucial relief measures for businesses, employees and social grant beneficiaries to mitigate the effects of the tough lockdown and the recent unrest.
The R350 Covid-19 distress grant has also made a comeback.
"To support those who have no means of supporting themselves, we are reinstating the Social Relief of Distress Grant to provide a monthly payment of R350 until the end of March 2022. This has been made possible by the slight improvement we have seen in our revenue collection."
During Sunday night's family meeting, the president said that unemployed caregivers - who receive child support grants - can also apply for it.
Lockdown restrictions have been eased to Level 3.
In addition to Social Development's food relief, the government will contribute R400 million to the humanitarian crisis relief fund.
Applications can now be made for the Covid-19 TERS scheme, which has been extended.
"The UIF will provide income support to all those employees who have lost jobs as a result of the recent unrest.
"This will ensure that jobs are protected and that workers can continue to earn an income as those businesses take time to rebuild."
Government is also expanding the Employment Tax Incentive.
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"We are therefore expanding the Employment Tax Incentive for a period of four months to include any employee earning below R6 500 and to increase the incentive amount by up to R750 per month.
"This will encourage employers to hire and retain employees, especially those in the retail and hospitality sectors which have been worst affected.
"We will also defer payment of PAYE taxes for a period of three months to provide businesses with additional cash flow, with an automatic deferral of 35 percent of PAYE liabilities for employers with revenue below R100 million."
