Photo: 123RF.com
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Corona aid for individuals and families is being further delayed. The reasons. And what is planned for those affected.
by Heinrich Schwarz
While the state government has now passed the resolutions for the Corona economic aid, the one for the support of individuals and families is still pending. Almost two months ago, the state government announced that it would expand and significantly increase the corona aid paid out since December (emergency aid and special contribution for rent and ancillary costs) with a budget of 55 million euros.
Specifically, the maximum limits for assets are to be raised from 30,000 to 60,000 euros and for income from 2,200 to 2,800 euros. And the contributions paid out as emergency aid should increase to between 700 and 1,700 euros, depending on the size of the family. The Covid aid should also be extended to other work categories and certain work situations.
Team K, among others, is wondering where the Covid aid money for individuals and families will go.
Social State Councilor Waltraud Deeg explains that they are currently working on a user-friendly IT platform on which citizens can apply without assistance, if possible. You are at a very good point.
But the originally announced start of the requests in May will probably not work: “May will be difficult”, Deeg admits when asked. The data protection authority still needs the green light with regard to the planned automated procedure. You also need two employees. Since it will take a few weeks for the contributions to be paid out after the application, you will have to wait a long time for the money.
However, the state councilor does not accept the criticism of Team K, according to which people will be left without support from May: “There is no gap. The emergency aid was extended until April – and because the economy can now open further, we have not extended the benefit for May. Because people can gradually go back to work. In addition, the regular social benefits – minimum income and rent – continue to run. And those who only applied for the three-month emergency aid in March or April will continue to receive it. “
What will the state government’s decision look like?
According to Waltraud Deeg, the announced new income and wealth limits and contribution levels (as described above) will not change anything. These changes also apply retrospectively to those who have received or applied for Covid aid since December 2020 or who met the requirements during this period.
That means: According to Deeg, those who have already received the emergency aid will always receive an additional payment of the difference to the new contribution amount. In the form of a one-time payment calculated over three months. So anyone who has received around EUR 900 per month and is entitled to EUR 1,300 according to the new criteria will be paid EUR 1,200 (three times EUR 400).
If, on the other hand, you did not have a job in winter, did not meet the previous emergency aid criteria, but did meet the new criteria, the entire contribution will be paid once over three months. In the case of € 1,300 emergency aid, € 3,900 – plus possibly the special rent.
“We want to give something back not only to the companies, but also to the families who have been badly hit by the closings, for the difficult time in winter by receiving money retrospectively,” says Waltraud Deeg.
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