This midnight has opened the deadline for applying for aid to self-employed workers who have been affected by the coronavirus crisis. Several users have entered the Lanbide website at that time, and the number of visits has left the website out of service for several hours.

Grant applications could be made by electronic processing or by filling in the application form which can be found on the Lanbide website. The electronic processing option has not been launched until 04:00 in the morning and the reason is being investigated; once the march has been taken, 1,836 requests have been received at 08:00 in the morning. In total, the Basque Government has received more than 10,000 applications, of which 45 are free of charge. Grants shall be distributed according to the order of arrival of applications.

In view of the volume of applications, the budget for this aid amounting to EUR 3 million has been reduced. Considering that each person can receive a maximum of €3,000, the aid could cover the needs of between 1,000 and 2,000 self-employed. Requirements, on the other hand, exceed 10,000.

In this regard, the Lanbide Director-General, Borja Belandia, has pointed out that they will consider whether the budget can be increased: "We now need to look, together with other departments, at what government priorities are and whether it is possible to increase that line and reach more people," he added.

Aid for self-employed persons in Navarre

As far as the self-employed in Navarre are concerned, the Government of Navarre announced last Wednesday that it approved aid of EUR 2,200 and EUR 700 for the self-employed. This aid shall be allocated to workers who have ceased their activity and who fulfil certain requirements. Among these conditions would be to reside in Navarre, not having applied this year for aid to promote employment and not to have debts to the Treasury.