Over 4,000 Rotherham businesses and charities have received more than £46m in financial support from Rotherham Council since the start of Covid-19 lockdown measures.
But with the deadline to make a claim is now looming.
The money has been allocated through several Government-backed schemes which have been administered by the Council.
One of those schemes, the Discretionary Grant Fund, ended on the 5th July and now the Council has to bring the remaining schemes to a close by midnight on 16th August 2020 as the Government funding comes to an end.
Schemes that will close on 16th August are the Small Business Grants Fund and the Retail, Hospitality & Leisure Grants Fund.
Although around 90% of eligible businesses have now been paid the grants they are entitled to, a small number are yet to claim and are being urged to check their eligibility on our Coronavirus pages to ensure they don’t miss out.
Subject to checks and eligibility, businesses in Rotherham have typically been receiving their grant payments within five days of making an application.
Councillor Saghir Alam, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services & Finance, said: “To validate and process payments worth over £46 million to more than 4,000 businesses in just over four months - and in such difficult circumstances - has a been a huge logistical challenge for the Council, but I’m proud we’ve achieved it.
“These grants are vital to the wellbeing of our economy, protecting the jobs, businesses and livelihoods of thousands of local people. We want to squeeze every last pound out of the funds available to help Rotherham recover so we are urging those eligible businesses to apply before it’s too late."
For further information, to check eligibility and make a claim.