I'm a simple emigrant and I received 5000 €

Because it's a hard time, here the German government decided to "give everyone five thousand euros." Well, of course not; it's just that this is the way news becomes sensational and spreads more easily, especially for us, whose dissatisfaction with the Russian government almost always just accumulates. But let's figure it out and debunk the myths. First, the amount is not 5000, but up to 9000 or up to 15000. Great start for debunking legends, right? In general it depends on the number of employees in the company: up to 5 — the possibility to receive up to 9 thousand, more than 5, accordingly, up to 15 000. And now the truth: the money is far from being handed out to everyone, ordinary mortals aren't paid, companies that previously did not have some income — either. There must be clear confirmation that incomes have indeed decreased (or disappeared completely) and exactly because of the pandemic, while expenses remained. Third, the eligibility criteria are very unclear. Some conditions are described simply as some phrases, by which you can't tell at a glance how much you meet them. From this follows the fourth and fifth. Fourth: these funds can't be spent on everything. When this program was only for Berlin — in the rules for freelancers you could spend it, including on personal needs. Now — the list of possible expenditures is limited. This should be related to business, but here there is also a glimmer of light (again only for freelancers) — if there is a line item for paying your own salary, then after drawing this amount — you can spend it as you like, like any salary of any person. Fifth, and the most important, in my view: there is a possibility that you will have to return this money. On the official website it says so: "all these rules were created too quickly, there is no legislation backing them. We also acknowledge that we may be mistaken in deciding to award you financial assistance, therefore you may have to return the money" (loose paraphrase). Moreover, due to panic and haste, they say that they could get to this only after several months. And as we remember, the conditions are not exactly transparent... you should think five times before deciding to apply for this help. If this is not crystal clear yet — I am not entitled to claim such a thing in principle, and it's good that there is no need. Moral: comrades, don't forget to critically approach any information, especially when it's spread so aggressively. And this article indeed writes how people have already voluntarily started returning this money "to be on the safe side." #Ordnung