The urgently needed federal and state economic aid has been flowing since the beginning of the week. In a very short time, a billion dollars reached the companies affected by the coronavirus crisis.
Berlin (dpa) - After the big rush for Corona emergency aid for the economy, the payment is slowly getting going.
By Tuesday evening, more than 370,000 applications had been approved in nine federal states alone, according to a state survey by the German Press Agency. Accordingly, around 1.3 billion euros have already flowed into companies in need of existence.
In twelve federal states, the number of applications received by the responsible state development banks totaled more than 921,000. According to the first reports from the countries, it became apparent that companies with up to five employees, as well as solo self-employed and freelancers, are taking advantage of the help.
Most applications, for example, were made in restaurants, hairdressing salons and cosmetic salons in Saxony. According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs in Dresden, many applications also came from the business consulting industry. There are currently problems with the approval by post. The requests submitted in this way are often incomplete and require further inquiries. "This costs valuable time. The company waits longer for its money," said a ministry spokesman.
In Hessen, for example, it was pointed out that most online applications have so far been made by companies with up to five employees. Solo self-employed and freelancers in particular, as well as small businesses with few employees, needed immediate help to ensure liquidity, it said.
In some federal states, the rush for applications led to difficulties right from the start. Processing of the applications in Berlin had to be interrupted in the afternoon at the start on Friday - the reason was a data protection problem. In the meantime, the problem has been solved, says a message.
There were also initial difficulties in Hamburg: due to technical problems, the application form was not available on the website of the investment and promotional bank until late Monday afternoon, and no applications for liquidity assistance could be submitted. The site could only be put into operation later.
In order to deal with the situation of the many inquiries, the responsible investment banks are increasing their staff. In Thuringia, there was a certain backlog of applications due to the onslaught, a spokesman for the Ministry of Economic Affairs admitted. Therefore, employees from other areas have been assigned to this task. Bremen has increased the number of employees from two to 60 so far, it said. Saxony-Anhalt is also employing more staff: More than 100 employees are currently processing the application - and the trend is rising, it was said in Magdeburg.
Since Monday, federal states have been able to call up federal funds totaling 50 billion euros to pay out grants for small companies and the self-employed quickly and unbureaucratically. Specifically, companies with up to five employees receive a one-time payment of 9,000 euros for three months, companies with up to ten employees receive 15,000 euros. In addition, each state has its own rules on the amount of the grants and which companies are eligible for grants.
Applicants must declare that they have experienced economic difficulties as a result of the corona pandemic. The companies must not have been in financial difficulties as of December 31. Incorrect information when submitting an application can lead to criminal consequences.