The French government and a number of associations have set up 4 toll-free numbers to provide practical and psychological support to business owners in difficulty and help them through the health and economic crisis.
A psychological support unit
"In a press release, Marc Binnié, President of the APESA association (Aide psychologique aux entrepreneurs en souffrance aiguë - Psychological support for entrepreneurs in acute distress), said: "Numerous testimonials reveal just how extreme is the suffering experienced by those who are now confronted with the unthinkable, with the shattered dream of the eventual disappearance of their company, and with the feeling of loss of identity, dignity and usefulness.
Set up at the time of the first lockdown, the hotline has been extended for a further 6 months. The service is provided by the APESA association, in collaboration with the French Ministry of the Economy and Finance, and with the support of the network of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCI France), Chambers of Trade and Crafts (CMA France), Thémis bank and Harmonie Mutuelle.
The hotline is available 7 days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., on 0 805 655 050. Business owners who call this toll-free number are given an initial listening ear, and are then redirected to specialized structures. For those in great distress, a psychologist can provide free and rapid assistance.
Since its inception, the service has logged more than 950 calls and 421 takeovers, representing a 46% increase in takeovers by the APESA association compared with the same period in 2019.
A toll-free emergency hotline
Since Monday November 2, 2020, a special number has been in place: reachable on 0806 000 245 at the price of a local call, Monday to Friday from 9am to 12pm and from 1pm to 4pm, it is designed to inform contractors about the various emergency aids to which they may be entitled.
The service is managed by the Public Finance Department (DGFiP) and URSSAF, which have each mobilized two call centers to inform company directors about existing schemes, such as partial activity, tax and social security deferrals, the solidarity fund and state-guaranteed loans.
The information given is of a general nature: to find out the status of a request, contractors should contact the administration in charge of the file.
Solidarité entreprises Covid, for a free diagnosis
By calling 0 800 94 25 64, Monday to Friday from 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. until December 18 inclusive, you can obtain a free personalized diagnosis of your company. This service has been set up by the Conseil National des Administrateurs et Mandataires Judiciaires (CNAMJ), which had already activated it for the first time in the spring, receiving over 3,000 calls.
The telephone interview lasts around 30 minutes, and providesinformation on the "tools for preventing and dealing with difficulties" adapted to the company's situation, depending on its debts, its relationship with its lessors and its financial partners, for example. This will enable business owners to identify their various options, particularly in terms of renegotiation or debt freeze, in compliance with the French Commercial Code.
The interview is confidential, and provides information on the legal measures available to avoid bankruptcy.
A toll-free number for the general public
Since the beginning of the health crisis, the government has also set up a toll-free number to provide comprehensive support and redirect callers to the appropriate services for appropriate care.
0 800 130 000 is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. The service is provided by a large number of associations, including SOS Amitié, Croix-Rouge Ecoute, Croix-Rouge Chez Vous, Violences Femmes Info, Allô Enfance Maltraitée, Ecoute Infos Familles, Psychologues sans frontières and many others.
In particular, this service offers a listening ear to employees of small and medium-sized businesses who work from home.