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How exactly are the time period and distribution of the Corona emergency aid regulated and how are personal earnings compatible with it?

April 4, 2020 | 30,00 EUR | answered by

Good day,

As a self-employed interpreter and escort service provider, I have been affected by the Corona crisis and have applied for both €5000 from state funds and €3000 from federal funds. I now intend to reorient myself professionally, meaning to take on a permanent position from May or June. In the meantime, I hope to receive housing allowance support. However, there are some things to consider. Therefore, here are my questions:

1) Are the €5000 from state funds, intended as compensation for lost business income, to be offset:

a) spread out over six months (as with the housing allowance application) or b) based on the business income from the last tax assessment (€1,333 per month); then the funds would be depleted after just under four months or c) at will; then in my opinion, the funds would be depleted after three months and I could start the permanent employment in June without having to fear a clawback.

2) The question of whether the June salary will be considered a) according to the cash flow principle from the payment in July or b) for the month to which it is attributable, namely June (as handled by the housing allowance office), is crucial for this. The answer to this is also important for the possible offset against the immediate aid of all other delayed or outstanding income in the approval period, which relates to earlier months.

3) The federal funds are intended for "continuing operational material and financial expenses". Does this mean a) only outstanding/uncovered expenses or b) also include expenses that have already been prepaid but cannot be used now (non-refundable hotel bookings/train tickets worth approximately €2000/€400 for a period of three months)?

In this context, another question is important:

4) Does the period for the immediate aid begin with:

a) month of application (entire March), b) application (March 29th), c) closure of business (March 20th) or d) receipt of the money (early April)?

All these nuances are unfortunately not mentioned in the Corona guidelines!

In addition, it is sufficient for me if you mark one of the options provided under
1) a) b) c)
2) a) b)
3) a) b)
4) a) b) c) d)
unless there are other unconsidered variants in play or an explanation is needed.

Thank you in advance for your efforts!

Best regards,

L.