WINNIPEG -- Many local home-based businesses say they’re grateful many can now access funding through Manitoba’s Bridge Grant Program but say it’s also left them confused, fearful, and frustrated while leaving others falling through the cracks.

On Tuesday, Premier Brian Pallister announced artists, photographers and other home-based businesses without a retail store would be eligible for funding through Manitoba’s expanded Bridge Grant Program starting Wednesday.

The provincial government first launched the program after Winnipeg entered Code-Red restrictions that forced all non-essential businesses to close in November. 

Eligible full-time, permanent home-based business owners can now apply for a grant worth 10 per cent of their 2019 revenues, up to $5,000, until December 31. 

For new businesses launched in 2020, the Manitoba government will determine the grant based on gross income earned since the start of the year.

“While appreciative our voices were heard, the majority of us remain confused and fearful,” said Emily Wood, owner of Stardust Photography. 

The new eligibility requirements have sparked confusion and questions among industry members, said Lauren Wiebe, owner of Stone House Creative, a wedding florist company. 

“I’m trying to be very grateful about it because there are so many more businesses that are eligible for some type of funding now,” said Wiebe in a recent phone interview.

Despite this, she says it feels like “a slap in the face” for some business owners all over again.

Cracks in the second intake, small business owners say

Both Wiebe and Wood said the 10 per cent cap has left many small businesses feeling short-changed since other businesses in the first intake were given a flat amount of $5,000.

The new limit suggests home-based businesses aren’t as deserving or legitimate as those with retail locations, said Wiebe.

“Why does it matter how much we made last year? Why the difference in our industry?” said Wood. “When things open back up again, a retail store can go back to business as usual, whereas it will be far from it for the wedding industry.”

Many people who may not have worked in 2019 due to a death in the family, illness, or maternity leave won’t receive much funding either, the owners said.

“It feels like they’re making it even harder for the very small businesses, and we just kind of feel bullied,” said Wiebe. 

A Manitoba government spokesperson said in an email Friday some home-based businesses have been able to adapt their business models to pandemic restrictions.

“As home-based businesses were not required to close their premises—they may continue to earn revenue,” the spokesperson said. “For those with partial revenue, those revenues will be annualized to determine the benefit.”

The spokesperson said people who have questions on whether they’re eligible or need clarification on their application should contact the program directly.

“Every effort will be made to help them sort out their unique circumstance,” they said.

 Call for clarity on full-time work and funding from first intake

Some of the confusion surrounding the second stream of eligibility requirements stems from the meaning of “full-time work.”

“Many of us put hours upon hours into an event ahead of time and after the event itself in order to fully deliver a service, but those hours are rarely linear,” said Wood. “Could they not have said, ‘primary source of income?’” 

Manitoba home-based businesses that operate year-round in which “the owner works toward making the business their primary income source” are eligible for the grant, according to the spokesperson.

“If some home-based businesses applied to the program in error, then they can contact the program area to cancel their applications if still in the queue, or make arrangements for repayment,” they said.

She also said people in the wedding industry have received different responses since applying to the first intake: the provincial government has approved some that were denied at first and asked others to pay back funds they’ve already received and apply again for the second intake.

Wood received confirmation from the provincial government that she was approved for $5,000 in late November after it initially denied her application. 

Since the second intake was announced, she said she’s not sure if she has to return the grant money and reapply under the second intake before the December 31 deadline.

Wood said she’s called the provincial government to ask for clarification but got an automated response saying it would contact her in seven to 10 days. 

“The majority of our industry is scared to touch what we have received for fear they will find a way of clawing it back,” said Wood. 

“We’re all very concerned. Do we have to repay that and then receive less?” said Wiebe, who also eventually received funding in the first intake. “Overall (I’m) trying to be grateful, but still being aware that this still feels like it’s not the best situation.”