Tewatohnhi’saktha COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Guidelines
Helping Businesses to Re-Open & Re-Hire our Workforce
Background
As a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, 84% of Kahnawake Businesses were forced to shut down. A Kahnawake Emergency Relief Fund was created to provide financial support to individuals who lost jobs as a result of COVID-19 and a Business Interruption fund was developed to help businesses with monthly expenses. After 10 weeks, a second phase of a BIF is being drafted to assist with the reopening of businesses in the form of working capital and fit up costs.
Objective
To assist Kahnawake owned business with a 6-week wage subsidy to re-hire staff as they begin to plan and re-open their business while adhering to the directives of the COVID-19 Task Force.
A focus on businesses who are and can demonstrate need will be considered first.
Guidelines
The program is for a 6-week period.
Businesses must demonstrate the need for a wage subsidy, this can be in a letter form and/ or support from a Tewatohnhi’saktha Business Officer.
Subsidy
Full Time Workers
A maximum $2700 lump sum payment to businesses who do not pay into MERCs – MSI to be reimbursed upon receipt. This is based on one employee full time: 30+ hours or more per week.
$3000 lump sum payment to businesses who do pay into MERCs (EI, QPIP, MSI).
Part Time Workers
A maximum $2300 lump sum payment to businesses who do not pay into MERCs – MSI to be reimbursed upon receipt. This is based on one part time employee full time: 25 hours or less per week.
$2500 for business who do pay into MERCs (EI, QPIP, MSI)
*An employee with minimal hours will be addressed on a case by case basis.
| Full Time with MERC | Full Time with no MERC | Part Time with MERC | Part Time with no MERC | |
| Amount of Subsidy | $3000 | $2700 | $2500 | $2300 |
| MSI upon receipt | MSI upon receipt |
Requirements
- Employers will be required to provide information on the employees to Tewatohnhi’saktha for intake purposes – All employees will need to meet eligibility of a C Measure (Kahnawake / 07 band number).
- Employers to submit weekly time sheets to confirm employee hours.
- Businesses must have received their Certificate of Compliance from the COVID-19 Task Force.
- Employees to complete a WD Registration Form.
- Employees who are on a measure are not to use this program as an extension. (Ex. Golf Club project).
Payment Process
Employers will receive 75% of the subsidy upon approval of the project and 25% when 6 weeks of timesheets are submitted.
Phase 1 Opening: 70% of the budget allocated for this period.
A 2nd round of subsidies will be considered after 6 weeks based on need and budget availability.
For program information and registration, please contact Roiahtate Horn (roiahtate.horn@kedc.biz) or leave a message at 450-638-4280.
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