Has your business been effected by Cyclone Gabrielle? There is financial, practical and mental health support available to assist you and your business:
Financial:
The IRD can offer tax relief following emergency events including payment instalments, removal of late payment or late filing penalties or interest (in some cases). The IRD can also assess for financial hardship. View more info here
If you are self employed, you can apply for a Civil Defence Payment if you have lost income because you can't work.
Banks are offering help for affected businesses - you may be able to get a temporary business overdraft, deferred payments or relief options for business loans. Talk to your Bank!
What your business should do:
Looking after your employees: take care of yourself and your employees during this time. You need to consider issues such as health and safety, emotional wellbeing and payment options. Keep communicating with your team and you may need to consider changes to your leave policy.
Business Insurance advice: You should contact your broker or register your claims with your insurer as soon as you can. Business insurance can cover everything from damage to premises, lost or damaged stock, equipment or goods owned by others, vehicles as well as cover for not being able to operate or business interruption cover for loss of profit.
Find support from your industry.
Some industry bodies have emergency support information available on their websites. If you belong to an industry group, let them know what is happening in your business, so they are better prepared to help you. Check out hospitality NZ, Restaurant Assoc NZ, Retail NZ
Mental Health & Wellbeing:
If you or your employees are feeling overwhelmed or anxious, visit First Steps for a variety of resources.
Business.govt.nz also have some great resources for mental health and wellbeing support
Xero Assistance Programme has been extended to all small businesses in the North Island. Any small business owner, employee or their families can access three confidential and free telephone, online or face-to-face counselling sessions.
How to keep operating during an emergency:
When you can't run your business as usual there are some ways of working that will help you to continue operating. There are a series of webinars available here
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