For companies or freelancers that get into financial difficulties due to possible cancelation of orders, shortfalls or other reasons due to the ongoing crisis, there are some support possibilities, whether through reorganization or state support. Here, we list the relevant contact points and support services.

Package of measures of the Federal Government

The game association summarizes the federal government's package of measures regarding games companies on its website: game

Freelancers, self-employed persons, and companies can now apply for short-term liquidity support from KfW-Bank via their own house banks. Click here to go directly to KfW's factsheets and further information: LINK

In addition, there is a relief for the short-time allowance, which comes into effect retroactively as of March 1, 2020, and can be paid out. The necessary information and instructions are available on the website of the employment agency: Arbeitsagentur

To apply for short-time working allowance (the local employment agency is responsible), you can use the employer hotline of the Federal Agency: +49 800 45555 20.

On the other hand, an emergency fund is currently being set up, which will focus in particular on self-employed persons and micro-enterprises. Further information on this will follow shortly.

 

Hamburg companies and freelancers

As part of the Kreativ Gesellschaft Hamburg, we are available to answer questions from Hamburg's creative professionals. We have set up a service hotline especially for the current situation:

+49 40 23724965

• Monday and Tuesday: 2-5 pm
• Wednesday and Thursday 10 am -1 pm and 2-5 pm 
• Friday: 10 am - 1 pm

Here you can ask your most pressing questions. We will do everything possible to help you find suitable offers and ways of support and to make your concerns heard more strongly through our networks.

Measures of the Hamburg Senate

The aid package of the Hamburg Senate was adopted in a 10-point program on Friday, March 20, 2020.

A detailed overview can be found in the summary of the Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft with additional information about help lines and further support programs.

Here are some points in overview:

Hamburg Corona Emergency Aid (HCS) of the Senate UPDATE

Together with IFB, there is an aid program for small and medium-sized enterprises and freelancers who have currently experienced problems due to the crisis that threatens their existence. It is planned to provide direct, real subsidies in the amount of:

• 2.500 € (solo self-employed)
• 5.000 € (less than 10 employees)
• 10.000 € (10-50 employees)

As of March 30, 2020, grants can be applied for at IFB Hamburg under the Hamburg Protection Scheme for Corona-damaged companies and institutions. The application is only possible online via the website of IFB Hamburg:

Homepage IFB HH

There you can find detailed information about the application process and what kind of grants are possible. 

The Hamburg Corona Emergency Aid (HCS) is tiered according to the number of employees - non-repayable subsidies are provided for. The combination of funds from the federal and state governments results in a maximum subsidy amount of:

• 11,500 € (solo self-employed)
• 14,000 € (1-5 employees)
• 20,000 € (6-10 employees)
• 25,000 € (11-50 employees)
• 30,000 € (51-250 employees)

Tax aid: Corona decree for the tax administration

The Corona Decree on tax aid has been agreed and will enter into force immediately.

Contents:

• Interest-free deferral of tax types income tax, corporation tax, turnover tax
• Reduction of quarterly advances under simplified conditions

In demonstrably affected cases, there should be the possibility of facilitating the enforcement of tax arrears.

Further information on current measures will be published here: Hamburg.de

 

What else can companies and freelancers do?

#WeVsVirus Online Hackathon March 20 - 22

43.000 participants joined the Hackathon of the Federal Government. Joint solutions and prototypes were developed in 48 hours, which will hopefully meet the challenge of the current crisis. #WeVsVirus Online Hackathon

The first results can be found in this Airtable Overview. 

Photo by AbsolutVision on Unsplash