On April, 20th the second phase of the Hardship Case Fund “Härtefallfonds” has started. However, this immediate support does not help anyone instantly.
The Hardship Case Fund “Härtefallfonds” is meant as an immediate support for the smallest companies and sole owner companies. In the first phase, some affected companies have been excluded. Now, in phase 2 certain adjustments have been made: multiple insurances and secondary income is not a reason to be excluded anymore. Also, there are no income maximums or minimums any more, as well as startups and newly funded companies are now entitled to apply.
From a theoretical point of view, it is now argued that this won’t have an impact on the support, as the payments from phase 1 will be also considered. What has to be kept in mind, however, is if the company has been able to financially survive the first weeks.
The application for the second phase can be made since Monday on the homepage of the Chamber of Commerce. The full guidelines can be found here.