When the Federal Government announced the new restrictions to combat the Corona pandemic at the end of October, it also promised new aid for the economyAmong other things, companies, businesses, self-employed individuals, associations, and institutions affected by the temporary closures were to receive extraordinary economic aid to compensate them for financial losses. Applications for this "November Aid" have been available since November 25. They will receive up to 75 percent of their average turnover from November 2019. Special provisions apply for self-employed individuals, newly founded companies, and restaurants.
As with the bridging aid, these applications must be reviewed and submitted by a tax advisor, auditor, certified public accountant, or lawyer. This does not apply to self-employed individuals with an Elster certificate and a maximum grant of €5,000. The Chamber of Industry and Commerce for Munich and Upper Bavaria will again process the applications.
Bavaria Minister of Economic Affairs Hubert Aiwanger explained:
"For tens of thousands of businesses in the Free State, the November aid is a much-needed lifeline. Many restaurateurs, hoteliers, cinemas, and fitness studios have been sitting on dry land for weeks without any revenue. Ensuring liquidity now is therefore a top priority. Companies will receive an initial down payment of up to €10,000 immediately upon application."
Extension of bridging aid
However, the federal government made it clear that this economic aid would only be paid out in November and December. Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Peter Altmaier and Chief of Staff Helge Braun declared that it would not be financially viable in the long term to reimburse 75 percent of lost revenue. "More targeted aid" is to follow as early as January, according to Braun. Altmaier and Federal Finance Minister Scholz see bridging aid as the focus in the new year.
These are now available until June 30, 2021, after the EU Commission approved an extension of the amended state aid regulations due to COVID-19. The LfA, which is responsible for aid in Bavaria, announced that it is extending all of its coronavirus measures. The aid measures that can now be applied for seamlessly include the LfA Quick Loan with 100 percent liability exemption, the Coronavirus Protection Shield Loan, the Coronavirus Loan for Non-Profits, the Universal Loan with 80 percent liability exemption, the LfA Guarantees with a guarantee rate of up to 90 percent, and the Emergency Loan.
Regarding the quick loan, which is designed for companies with up to ten employees, Aiwanger explains:
"Small businesses still need and receive quick and unbureaucratic help to get through the crisis. Since the product's launch, the LfA Quick Loan has been approved for nearly 5,000 small businesses in Bavaria. These approvals represent a total loan volume of over €200 million."
Anger over delays
Meanwhile, business circles are frustrated by the slowness of the aid processing. Achim von Michel, State Representative for Politics in the Federal Association of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (BVMW) Bavaria:
“It cannot be that companies have to wait until December for financial assistance for sales losses in September.”
And further:
"While rapid and unbureaucratic efforts were observed in the spring with regard to emergency aid despite the novelty of the situation, it now seems as if the rapid disbursement of aid to companies threatened with extinction is no longer the highest priority."
The Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs has compiled all information on the November aid here. Information on the emergency aid can be found here. here and bridging aid here.
