The SMME Debt Relief Finance Scheme will provide soft-loan financing for businesses negatively affected, directly or indirectly, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

6 months from 01 April 2020.

Where assistance is required beyond 6 months, the term may be extended.

• For businesses that are able to demonstrate that they have been negatively affected by the Coronavirus
• Have been registered with CIPC since at least 28 February 2020
• Are 100% owned by South African citizens
• Have at least 70% South African employees
• Are registered and compliant with SARS and UIF. (Note that for non-compliant micro businesses, Seda will assist with compliance. Send an email to debtrelief@seda.org.za to request assistance in this regard.)
• Businesses must be compliant before making an application

Priority will be given to businesses owned by women, youth and people with disabilities

Be ready to answer the following questions:

• What finance you are applying for (stock, bridging finance, purchasing order, business equipment)
• Existing credit information
• Who you get your inputs from (raw materials)

You will need to sign a declaration of consent.

Have ready for upload:

• Company statutory documents (CIPC registration documents)
• FICA documents (e.g. municipal accounts)
• Certified copies of the directors / members IDs
• Three months’ bank statements
• Latest annual financial statements/management accounts not older than three months from date of application (where applicable)
• A business profile
• Six months cash flow projections (where applicable)
• Copy of Lease Agreement or proof of ownership if applying for rental relief

• If applying for payroll relief, details of employees (as registered with UIF and including banking details) as payroll payments will be made directly to employees

• Facility statements if applying for relief for municipal accounts

• Detailed breakdown on application of funds required e.g. for rent, salaries, municipal accounts.

• Application form (hard copy version )