Check if you're eligible for the coronavirus Additional Restrictions Grant
The Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) supports businesses that are not covered by other grant schemes or where additional funding is needed.
Applies to England
The Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) provides local councils with grant funding to support businesses that are severely impacted by coronavirus restrictions and the rise of the Omicron variant, when most needed. Funding was first made available in financial year 2020 to 2021 and can be used across financial years 2020 to 2021 and 2021 to 2022. However local authorities are encouraged to distribute funding to businesses which require support as soon as possible.
Eligibility
Local councils have the freedom to determine the eligibility criteria for these grants. However, we expect the funding to help businesses that are severely impacted by the restrictions and the rise of the Omicron variant.
Local councils are encouraged to support:
- in allocating the first ARG top-up payment: businesses from all sectors that may have been severely impacted by restrictions but were not eligible for the LRSG and CBLP Grant schemes
- in allocating the second 2 ARG top-up payments: businesses from all sectors that may have been severely impacted by restrictions but were not eligible for the Restart Grant scheme, and those sectors that remained closed or were severely impacted by extended restrictions, even if those businesses had already been in receipt of Restart Grants
- in allocating the third ARG top-up payment: businesses severely impacted by the rise of the Omicron variant
Businesses excluded from the fund
You cannot get funding if:
- your business is in administration, insolvent or has been struck off the Companies House register
- you have exceeded the permitted subsidy allowance
You must notify your local council if your situation changes and you no longer meet the eligibility criteria, for example, if you become insolvent.
Subsidy allowance
This scheme is covered by 3 possible subsidy allowances:
- Small Amounts of Financial Assistance Allowance – you’re allowed up to £335,000 (subject to exchange rates) in Small Amounts of Financial Assistance over any rolling period of 3 financial years
- COVID-19 Business Grant Allowance – under this allowance you’re allowed up to £1,900,000 across all COVID-19 Business Grant schemes
- COVID-19 Business Grant Special Allowance - if you have reached your limits under the Small Amounts of Financial Assistance Allowance and COVID-19 Business Grant Allowance, you may be able to access a further allowance of funding under these scheme rules of up to £10,000,000 across all COVID-19 Business Grant schemes
Grants under these 3 allowances can be combined for a potential total allowance of up to £12,235,000 (subject to exchange rates).
If your business could be subject to the Northern Ireland Protocol, these Allowances may vary under the State aid rules.
How to apply
Visit your local council’s website to find out how to apply.
Last updated 31 December 2021 + show all updates
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Guidance updated in light of the coronavirus Omicron variant.
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Clarification of which sectors are eligible for the grant.
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Details of new subsidy allowance confirmed.
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The subsidy control / state aid conditions for this scheme have not changed following the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020: more information will be available shortly.
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Guidance amended to reflect UK’s updated state aid agreement with the EU Commission.
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First published.