Staffordshire Means – Emergency Business Grants

Staffordshire County Council have set up a limited £500,000 business fund, to support micro-businesses through this difficult time.

This grant fund is targeted at small, micro and one person businesses that are not eligible for the grants and rate relief packages offered by the government.

A total of £500,000 is available, with the maximum grant being £1,000. The grants will be awarded on a first-come-first-served basis for eligible applicants.

Businesses will need to demonstrate what they need the grant for and what difficulties they are facing during the Covid-19 lockdown period.

Is my business eligible for the emergency grant?

If you answer yes, to all of the below questions, you could be eligible for the grant:

• Is your business based in Staffordshire? You can check the postcode of where your business is registered to see if Staffordshire County Council are your local council. If your business Is registered in Stoke-on-Trent, you will not be eligible for this grant. Please contact Stoke-on-Tent City Council for support.
• Do you employ 9 people or less?
• Is your annual turnover less than £2m?
• Do you have a business bank account?
• Have you applied but are unable to claim any other local or national business support? View the Government's support packages for businesses

What information will I need to provide?

• Latest business accounts/profit/loss statement
• Current bank statement
• Outstanding invoices

Please note that wages cannot be claimed as part of this scheme, because self-employed earnings and the pay of furloughed employees are both covered by Government schemes.

Operational costs related to your business will be considered and could be eligible for grant support.

How do I apply?

Our Business Advisors will take you through a series of questions to assess your eligibility. If you do not qualify, they will point you in the direction of other schemes and initiatives that your business can apply for.

If you are eligible for the grant, our Business Advisors will process your application and you should receive the funds within 14 days. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I use the grant for?

This grant has been established to help micro-businesses survive the Coronavirus pandemic. The grant should be used to help keep your business afloat for a month. It can be used to pay off suppliers, franchise fees and other costs that enable you to keep trading.

My business is based in Stoke-on-Trent, can I apply for the scheme?

You will not be eligible for this grant if your business is registered in Stoke-on-Trent. You should contact Stoke City Council to see if they are able to offer you support.

I have been awarded a £10,000 grant from my local district or borough council. Can I apply for this scheme as well?

This scheme is specifically for businesses that are not eligible for any other grants and rate relief packages on offer from the Government. You will not be able to apply for this grant if you have received grants or funding from any other government agency.

Can I use this grant to cover my wages and the wages of my employees?

No, this grant cannot be used to pay your salary or your employees wages, as there are a number of national government schemes that cover salary and the wages of furloughed staff.

My business is new, can I still apply?

This grant is only available to businesses registered in Staffordshire before 1st November 2019. To prove this you can provide us with your Companies House VAT Number, or your Unique Tax Payers Reference Number which (can be found on your self-assessment form)

I don’t have a business bank account; can I still apply?

You need to have a bank account specific for your business to apply. It cannot be one that is used for personal expenses only business transactions.