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Tallinn supports citizens and entrepreneurs with help measures

Tallinn supports citizens and entrepreneurs with help measures

The corona crisis is affecting the entire society and many people are experiencing difficulties. Tallinn City Government introduced additional support measures to mitigate the negative effects of the restrictions necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19 disease. From March 11 until the end of April, parents will be exempted from paying the kindergarten fee, sports clubs and entrepreneurs will not have to pay rent for city premises, and the payment of sports subsidies to sports clubs will continue in full. The city also offers benefits to city residents in economic difficulties.

According to Betina Beškina, Deputy Mayor for social and health care in Tallinn, the corona crisis has affected us all in one way or another, and many have run into serious difficulties. "In order to alleviate the negative impact of the restrictions on the residents of the city and our contractual partners - the individuals and enterprises most affected by the restrictions - the city developed additional support measures," said Beškina. "Thus, parents of children attending kindergarten are exempted from paying the kindergarten fee from March 11 to April 30. The decision has yet to be approved by the City Council. In the amount of the municipal kindergarten place fee, ie 71.25 euros per month, a discount is also granted to parents of children attending a private kindergarten, and an additional amount of compensation is paid to the parent, guardian or caregiver of a child in childcare. Parents of children attending municipal hobby schools are granted a 100% exemption of tuition fee as of March 1.”

From 11 March to 30 April, sports clubs will be freed from paying rent for the city's sports facilities (including school gyms), while the payment of sports subsidies to clubs will continue in full. With the rent exemption, the city also supports entrepreneurs. One hundred percent rent exemption on city premises will be extended to the city - until the end of April, traders, caterers and other enterprises operating in the city 's commercial premises will be freed from paying rent. In addition, during the crisis, the city pays the bills submitted by the partners as soon as possible, ie within ten working days instead of the previous 21 or 30 days.

The Deputy Mayor emphasized that although those in need should be noticed at all times, they need to be further encouraged and supported in difficult times, and most of all kept informed about what help is available and where to ask for it. "The city reaches out through the provision of various services and support. In this way, a citizen in difficulty can apply for a subsistence benefit and need-based benefits, and food aid is distributed to low-income families with multiple children. There are other ways to help, depending on the person's concerns, and therefore we encourage city residents in difficulty to turn to the district government of their residence for help, but using e-channels or a telephone call should be preferred at the moment to avoid contacts," said Beškina.

Subsistence benefit can be applied for until the last working day of each month. The purpose of the support is to alleviate the material deprivation of people and families in need by providing minimum resources to cover basic needs (eg utilities). The benefit is allocated on the basis of the person’s or the family’s previous month's income minus taxes, alimony, utilities and subsistence level. This year, the subsistence level is 150 euros per person, 120 euros per subsequent adult family member and 180 euros per minor child.

The need-based or income-dependent benefits can be applied for to ensure subsistence and to cover the costs of maintaining or restoring health and acquiring medical equipment. The benefit is granted to a person or family whose net income per first family member is less than 584 euros, ie below the applicable minimum wage, and for each subsequent family member less than 467.20 euros. The application must be submitted within three months of the expenditure being incurred. In order to determine the support, the need for assistance of the person and his or her family is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Food packages are also distributed to families in economic difficulties in cooperation with the Food Bank. It is also an income-dependent aid measure and the frequency of food distribution is determined by an assessment of the need for aid.

Photo: Kaupo Kalda