Key facts
In order to cushion the economic consequences of the the COVID‑19 pandemic, the Federal Council and Parliament made extensive financial aid packages available, including the COVID-19 loss of earnings compensation (CLEC). Between March 2020 and October 2021, the Confederation paid out CLEC benefits totalling CHF 3.5 billion, of which CHF 2.6 billion went to self-employed individuals. This was the first time ever that the Confederation provided financial support to self-employed individuals in an economic emergency.