The Spanish Government have released a detailed file (currently only in Spanish) dealing with an extensive range of social and economic services currently available to all those living in these altered circumstances due to the Covid-19 crisis. The full documents is available online (https://www.mscbs.gob.es/ssi/portada/docs/Ampliar_el_Escudo_Social_para_no_dejar_a_nadie_atras.pdf ) but here is a brief glance at what kind of information you can find there.
Protection for tenants/renters/landlords
This section looks at the financial aid that is on offer for those who can’t pay their rent at the moment. It answers basic questions such as “what are the criteria that have to exist before I am considered a person in a risk or vulnerable situation?”, “if my rental contract is about to end can I be evicted?”, “if I am someone who is able to avail of the microcredit on offer, what is the procedure? Do I have to do it through a bank?” Landlords also have questions as many of them rely on rental income as their livelihood, and they can find out what their rights are as the owner of a small number of properties.
Mortgage holders, homes and businesses
For homeowners paying mortgages there is also a lot of information on the funds they can access in this time of national and international crisis, if they have lost their jobs, or their small business is really suffering. They can find answers to questions too regarding how or who is considered a vulnerable person in this time.
In relation to the provision of services such as water and power to our homes there is detailed information for those who will not be able to pay their bills at this time, as well as for those who will have similar issues with their business premises.
Unemployment issues
With regard to work, contracts and the availability of unemployment benefits, there are a range of complex questions to be answered. Businesses have had to take decisions regarding their employers, whether they will use the ERTE option or not. What the ERTE does is allow your employer to temporarily suspend your work contract if he/she can show that the suspension of operations is due to the current crisis. Some companies have opted for this, some haven’t and many workers are unsure of their rights –this document will answer many of the questions they have. It will also look at the rights of those who held temporary contracts that ended just before the state of emergency was declared, or who were fired recently
Domestic workers, who are mainly women, may find their hours reduced or their employer has the virus and therefore they cannot go to their place or work, others have their hours drastically reduced. Can they apply for some assistance while still working a few hours a week? Others have questions regarding the use of more than one kind of assistance – can the new emergency money be combined with other income from the state?
Protection, consumers, children
This very detailed document also answers questions for consumers, about what to do if you have paid for something in advance – from a gym membership to a luxury holiday, and examines other consumer and credit issues.
The document has information for those who are suffering or in danger of domestic violence, looks at the protection of minors who are taking part in online classes and activities during the quarantine period, and a lot more.
Here is the link to the full document which is, as we have said, currently only available in Spanish, however if it is published in English we will update this link.
