Debt counselors see the number of entrepreneurs knocking on their door for debt assistance increasing. Many of them can no longer fall back on government support, while creditors have become increasingly active. Aid workers expect an even larger influx next year, when entrepreneurs have to pay off their tax debt.
The corona-related debt files are piling up at the Hilversum office of Zuidweg & Partners. The bureau provides debt relief for entrepreneurs from more than 150 municipalities. From January to August, an average of twelve files per week were received from entrepreneurs with corona debts; now there are 35 per week.
Menzing & Partners, which provides debt relief for entrepreneurs for several dozen municipalities, also saw it getting busier in recent weeks. “People are waking up now that support is ending and creditors are starting to move again,” says owner Martin Menzing.
‘Putted to sleep’
The loss of support to the self-employed (Tozo) in particular is seen by Zuidweg and Menzing as the tipping point. That support stopped on October 1 and did not return in the new support package that was announced last month. Menzing: “Because entrepreneurs still received support, some of them were put to sleep. They did not feel the need to take action and deal with their debts.”
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