If you applied in January and reapply in February the maximum total assistance will depend on the number of employees had on its last payroll before the Dec. 21 public health order took effect.

• $6,000 for businesses with up to 9 employees
• $12,000 for businesses with 10 to 19 employees
• $18,000 for businesses with 20 to 49 employees
• $24,000 for businesses with 50 or more employees

Eligible applicants who applied by January 31 and received a first payment will need to reapply to the program to receive a second payment.  Event rental facilities, caterers and photographers also qualify for these amounts regardless of when they first apply.

Other eligible businesses that apply for the first time in February qualify for the following amounts of assistance based on the number of employees on their last payroll:

• $3,000 for businesses with up to 9 employees
• $6,000 for businesses with 10 to 19 employees
• $9,000 for businesses with 20 to 49 employees
• $12,000 for businesses with 50 or more employees

One worker includes either a full-time or part-time employee.

Nearly 2,000

The program is not capped in terms of funding availability.

Government has set aside $1.18 billion in the budget for health care and other COVID-19 related costs, including business assistance.

Restaurants, bars and lounges that primarily provide dine-in food services including those in hotels where at least 50 per cent of the income is from dine-in.  Dine-in service, for this program, defined as an establishment where the business staff seats and serves their patrons at a table.

Eligible facilities are those physically open to members or the public.  Those providing virtual services are not eligible.  This applies to, for example, movie or other theatres, concert halls, heritage institution such as museums, galleries, recreational and fitness facilities.

Business can apply immediately and start the process by using the online assessment tool.

The online assessment tool will be available until February 28, 2022.

The program provides some needed relief for businesses that incurred costs in preparation for bookings at their busiest time of year, the December and January holiday season. Places of worship were not affected in the same manner and are not eligible under the program.

Businesses with surplus food are encouraged to contact Harvest Manitoba who can connect them with organizations that help feed the homeless and other families that may otherwise not receive a special meal during this holiday season.

The Manitoba government has provided over $650 million to more than 38,000 businesses and organizations, in both financial assistance and tax relief, since March 2020.

Yes.  Sector Support is a stand alone program that is not impacted by other supports, federal or provincial, you may be receiving now or have received in the past.

You can use a revenue test: more than 50% of your revenue from food services.

All employees in the food service are eligible to be included in the employee count that determines the level of Sector Support you will receive.

No. You automatically qualify for the $3,000, if applying for the first time in February, or $6,000, if applied for the first time in January and reapply in February, in assistance. Without a payroll, Manitoba Finance has no way of establishing employee numbers if an applicant is audited.

Each employee counts as one-employee regardless of whether they are employed on a full-time or a part-time basis.

If you can show, if audited, that your average payroll in 2021 was higher than your last payroll  we will accept that count.

All persons involved in the food service portion of your business - including managers, hosts and drivers - should be included in the employee count.

Yes. Under federal income tax rules government assistance is taxable income.

While Sector Support is taxable income, if the employer is tax exempt then you do not pay income tax on government assistance.