Aid for self-employed workers, job protection and vulnerable housing

Automatic summary, not yet reviewed

1. Self-employed workers receiving a benefit for ending their activity under Royal Decree-Lawroyal decree-law A rule with the force of law that the Government passes because it is urgent. It applies from its publication, but the Congreso must validate it within 30 days or it lapses. 18/2021 will be exempt from paying Social Security contributions from March to June 2022, with percentages dropping from 90% to 25% depending on the month.
2. From March 1, 2022, an extraordinary benefit is kept in place for self-employed workers forced to close due to COVID-19 measures. It pays 70% of the minimum contribution base for a maximum of four months, until June 30, 2022.
3. Existing temporary layoff schemes (ERTEs) are automatically extended until March 31, 2022, with Social Security contribution exemptions during that month.
4. The MECUIDA plan, which helps workers who care for dependent people, and the benefits for the cultural sector under Royal Decree-Law 32/2020 are extended until June 30, 2022.
5. Companies and self-employed workers in the Canary Islands affected by the Cumbre Vieja eruption can keep deferring or delaying Social Security payments, and their temporary layoff schemes move to the force majeure regime without filing a new one.
6. People who lost their reduced work schedule for caring for a child with cancer or a serious illness when the child turned 18 before 2022 can request it again, until the child turns 23.
7. Evictions and removals of vulnerable households with no housing alternative are suspended until September 30, 2022, and landlords can request compensation until October 31, 2022.
8. Electricity, natural gas and water supplies cannot be cut off for vulnerable consumers until June 30, 2022, and the new category of vulnerable consumer entitled to the bono socialBono social Discount on the electricity bill for low-income or vulnerable households. stays in force until that date.

Who it affects

• Self-employed workers receiving benefits for ending their activity: They get contribution exemptions and can access an extraordinary benefit if they close due to COVID-19.
• Companies and workers in temporary layoff schemes (ERTEs): Their schemes and related measures are extended until March 31, 2022.
• Companies and self-employed workers in La Palma and the Canary Islands: They can keep deferring contributions and receive benefits due to the volcanic eruption.
• Families in vulnerable housing situations: Their evictions and removals are suspended until September 30, 2022.
• Vulnerable consumers of electricity, gas and water: Their supply cannot be cut off until June 30, 2022.

Words worth knowing

Cese de actividad

Situation of a self-employed worker who stops working for reasons beyond their control, giving the right to a benefit similar to unemployment pay.

Expediente de regulación temporal de empleo (ERTE)

Temporary layoff scheme that lets a company suspend or reduce work and wages, with unemployment protection for workers.

Bono social

Discount on the electricity bill for low-income or vulnerable households.

Lanzamiento

Court action removing a person from their home, for example after an eviction.

Fuerza mayor

Exceptional, unforeseeable cause, such as a volcanic eruption, that forces a company to suspend its activity.

royal decree-law

A rule with the force of law that the Government passes because it is urgent. It applies from its publication, but the Congreso must validate it within 30 days or it lapses.

decree-law

A rule with the force of law that the Government passes because it is urgent. It applies from its publication, but the Congreso must validate it within 30 days or it lapses.

It summarizes the law as published in the BOE. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries