El Gobierno aprueba un segundo paquete extraordinario de medidas de Seguridad Social para garantizar la protección de las personas y empresas afectadas por la DANA

The Council of Ministers today approved, on the proposal of the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, a new package of measures that extend and reinforce those adopted last week with the aim of protecting and helping to recover those affected by DANA.

One of the most important measures is the additional increase of 30% to the child support supplement associated with the Minimum Vital Income. On the other hand, extraordinary temporary incapacities (job losses) caused by physical or psychological damage due to this cold drop will be facilitated without prior pay and the improvements in permanent disability, widowhood and orphan pensions caused by DANA also apply to civil servants.

In addition, the cessation of self-employed activity is completed with a partial modality for workers who have not had to close their business, and the umbrella of the ERTE by Force Majeure of the DANA is extended to the companies seriously affected indirectly even if they are not in the affected municipalities.

30% more of the child supplement linked to the IMV

With the aim of protecting the most vulnerable groups as a matter of priority, the child support supplement rises by 30% in the households in the affected area that receive it, about 10,350. This increase is in addition to the 15% increase approved last week for the 23,000 households receiving IMV in the DANA-affected area. They are home to more than 70,000 people, of whom almost 30,000 are children and adolescents.

On the other hand, the application of the IMV for poverty overcome will be facilitated. In this sense, it will be possible to apply from January 1 and the income of the previous three months, which would include the months of the catastrophe, will be taken into account. The regular deadline for applying for the IMV for poverty that has come to an end usually begins on April 1.

Redundant Labour Losses and Improved Pensions

Passive Class civil servants will also see an improvement in the Permanent Disability, Widowhood and Orphanhood pensions created by DANA, which since last week have been treated as a work accident for economic purposes, which means a higher amount.

Likewise, it will be possible to opt for extraordinary work leave for the DANA without having to have paid before, opting for 75% of the salary from the first day.

Partial cessation of activity for self-employed persons

Self-employed persons who have not had to close their business, but have been significantly affected by DANA, will be eligible for a partial temporary cessation benefit. This benefit is 50% of its contribution base.

In the previous Royal Decree-Law approved last week, an improvement of the cessation of activity benefit was already included for the self-employed with businesses directly affected by DANA and they have had to stop their activity. In this case, the benefit is 70% of the quotation base.

This special protection, both total and partial, means that the benefit is available to all self-employed workers, including those who have not paid the 12 months normally required. On the other hand, the benefit collection time is recorded as quoted and will not count towards future benefits.

ERTE, also for companies indirectly affected

The companies indirectly affected by DANA in a serious way will be able to avail themselves of the extended Force Majeure ERTE, whether or not they are located in the affected municipalities.

When a company has its workers in a Temporary Employment Regulation File of this nature, it benefits from a 100% exemption from the workers’ contribution and not 90% as in ordinary cases of force majeure. That is, these companies do not have to pay the social security contributions of their workers for as long as the ERTE is maintained. Likewise, for the workers included in the ERTE this time will count as a contribution for the purposes of future benefits.

Pension plans

Finally, the measures approved today include that pension plan holders affected by DANA can withdraw their funds immediately up to a maximum of 10,800 euros. This extends to participants in pension schemes, insured provident schemes, corporate social security schemes and social security mutuals.