The provincial government says they are extending the Saskatchewan Small Business Emergency Payment to the month of May for those required to stay closed or have their operation substantially curtailed after May 19.

In a release from the government, Trade Minister Jeremy Harrison says “While the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan is now underway, we are still very much dealing with the global COVID-19 pandemic, so we need to be methodical in how we implement each phase of the plan in our province. We want to be flexible and responsive with the program and make sure we provide timely support for businesses so they can utilize this funding where it will provide the most benefit for them.

Businesses will not need to reapply to the program.  Businesses that qualify for the program will automatically receive a second payment after May 19.  Launched on April 13, 2020, the SSBEP program is a $50 million program providing financial support to small and medium businesses that have had to temporarily close or substantially curtail their operations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eligible applicants receive a payment of 15 per cent of their sales revenue from April 2019 or February 2020, up to $5,000, to help businesses with expenses including fixed costs such as rent.  To date, the SSBEP has processed more than 4,700 applications and provided more than $15 million in support to Saskatchewan businesses.

For more information and the SSBEP application, businesses can visit www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-businesses.