1. Is this the same as the “unemployment benefit” for self-employed workers which has been in force since 2010? How long does it last?
No, this is a different and supplementary benefit, as contained in Royal Decree-Law 8/2020, regarding extraordinary urgent measures to combat the economic and social impact of COVID-19 (ARTICLE 17). The amounts, duration and access requirements have been modified, among other elements, with the aim of assisting a greater number of beneficiaries.
The validity is limited to one month following the entry into force of Royal Decree 463/2020, which declared the state of emergency to manage the crisis caused by COVID-19.
If the state of emergency is extended beyond the initial month, the benefit will end on the last day of the month in which the state of emergency is lifted.