More than 2,558 Blue Mountains businesses have received the federal government's JobKeeper payment during the pandemic, according to figures released last month.
The figures, released on June 24, broke down JobKeeper applications by postcode, encompassing businesses and non-profits. Numbers are based on the total number of processed applications for organisations for the April fortnights - from March 30 to April 26, processed by June 3.
Katoomba/Leura and Medlow Bath lead the way with 632 JobKeeper applications, Springwood/Winmalee/Yellow Rock/ Sun Valley, Hawkesbury Heights and Valley Heights is next with 514 applications, followed by Warrimoo, Blaxland and Mt Riverview totalling 335 and Blackheath/ Megalong Valley at 220.
Others utilising JobKeeper include: Wentworth Falls (205), Bullaburra (32), Lawson (91), Hazelbrook (119), Faulconbridge (112) and Glenbrook, Lapstone (195) Linden and Woodford have 57 on JobKeeper, Mt Victoria (which includes Mt Wilson, Mt Irvine, Bell and Dargan) has the smallest number with 46 applications.
Organisations with processed applications are those that have completed the enrolment, verification and declaration steps for this time period.
The $70 billion JobKeeper program is a temporary subsidy for businesses significantly affected by COVID-19. The $1500 a fortnight wage subsidy is due to end in September, but the government is considering further jobs support after receiving a Treasury review. An announcement is expected on July 23, when the government will provide an economic and fiscal update.
Eligible employers, sole traders and other entities can apply to receive $1,500 per eligible employee per fortnight. The Treasury estimates more than 3.5 million Australian employees, 29 per cent of those employed, are receiving the JobKeeper Payment.
The total number of applications for businesses across Australia was 844,445. The Sydney postcode of 2000 topped the Australian list.
This week banks announced they will allow people who paused their mortgage payments for a six month 'holiday' as an emergency measure during the COVID-19 lockdown, can now extend their loan deferral by another four months if needed.