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27.10.2020

Initial clarifications regarding the (doubled) bridging entitlement

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Two weeks ago, the various governments committed to additional support measures for the companies affected by the additional measures. One of those measures concerned an adjustment of the bridging rights. Thus, the corona bridging right would be doubled for certain self-employed persons, and the relance bridging right would be extended.

In the meantime, the Federal Council of Ministers has clarified matters in its preliminary draft. Below is an explanation of who can claim which bridging rights, and in what amount.

 

The doubled corona bridging law

Who can invoke this?

  • The self-employed who belong to an industry that is forced to close its doors. Even when one is an independent restaurant operator offering take-away meals.
  • The self-employed who are not obliged to close down, but who are highly dependent on a closed sector, and who voluntarily decide to cease their activities completely.

 

How much is the benefit?

  • The " double" benefit amounts to 2,583.38 EUR for single self-employed persons, or 3,228.20 EUR for self-employed persons with family responsibilities.
  • For the month of October, one is entitled to this double benefit if one completely interrupts activities from October 19 to October 31.
  • For the month of November, one is entitled to double benefits if one completely interrupts activities from November 1 to November 15. Please note that this end date is subject to the restrictive measures not being extended further. If they are extended further, one will have to interrupt the activities for a longer period to still be entitled to the double benefit.

 

The ordinary corona bridging law

Who can invoke this?

The self-employed who are not obliged to close themselves, but are highly dependent on a closed sector, without completely ceasing their own activities, can benefit from the ordinary corona bridging right. This bridging right would be extended until December 31.

 

How much is the benefit?

The benefit amounts to 1,291.69 euros for single self-employed persons, or 1,614.10 euros for self-employed persons with family burdens.

 

The classic bridging law

Who can invoke this?

Self-employed persons who are subject to quarantine but not incapacitated can claim the classic bridging right.

 

How much is the benefit?

The benefit amounts to 1,291.69 euros for single self-employed persons, or 1,614.10 euros for self-employed persons with a family load, at least if the interruption lasts a full month. Unlike the corona bridging entitlement, the monthly amounts paid are prorated to the days when one can actually claim them.

E.g.. if one is quarantined for two weeks, one is only entitled to about half of the full monthly amount.

 

The relance bridging law

Who can rely on it?

Those self-employed persons who cannot claim the corona bridging right because they are not closed on today can claim the relance bridging right under certain conditions:

  • They were already required to engage in a principal activity on May 3, 2020, which was required to cease. It is accepted that in addition, they are engaged in an ancillary activity that was not required to be discontinued.
  • To receive benefits for the months of June, July, August and September, they must be able to show that their sales in the second quarter of 2020 is at least 10% lower than the sales in the corresponding quarter of 2019.
  • To receive benefits for the months of October, November and December, they must be able to show that their sales in the third quarter of 2020 is at least 10% lower than the sales in the corresponding quarter of 2019.

 

How much is the benefit?

The benefit amounts to 1,291.69 euros for single self-employed persons, or 1,614.10 euros for self-employed persons with family burdens.

 

Finally, some good to knows....

  • The various bridging rights are not cumulative with each other.
  • Neither the relance bridging right nor the classic bridging right are cumulable with disability benefits, pensions, parental benefits, and other replacement income.
  • The various bridging rights can, however, be combined with activity as a wage-earner or with temporary unemployment.
  • The corona bridging right presupposes a cessation of all independent activities. However, an activity that is closely related to the activity for which the discontinuation was requested can be continued without any problem. However, if the self employed person still exercises an activity which is completely unrelated to the activity for which he wishes to apply for the bridging right, he will no longer be entitled to benefit. Self-employed persons with several activities, of which one is not affected by the measures, therefore fall between the two stools.

 

The above overview is subject to any changes to the law. Since the law still needs to be approved by Parliament, the application for the doubled corona bridging right is not yet possible. As soon as more is known, we will keep you informed.

 

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us. You can always reach us at 051 26 82 68 or via e-mail to info@titeca.be.