It is essential for the well-being of older adults in Spain to stay informed about the various grants and subsidies available, including the subsidy for people over 52. This financial support is crucial for those facing unemployment and difficulties reentering the labor market.
To maintain the subsidy for those over 52, certain conditions must be met, including the filing of the annual income declaration.
The declaration is an obligatory step for recipients of the subsidy for people over 52. It is a request made by the SEPE, the Public State Employment Service, to verify that the beneficiary2s income does not exceed the threshold required to grant the subsidy. The importance of this declaration lies in ensuring that the subsidy reaches those who truly need it. SEPE monitors that the beneficiary2s annual income does not surpass 75 percent of the Official Minimum Wage, excluding the extra two paid installments.
According to SEPE, it is essential not to have any personal income that exceeds 75 percent of the Official Minimum Wage per month, not counting the proportional part of two extra payments. If the triggering date does not meet this requirement, the subsidy may still be accessed if the condition is fulfilled and proven within a year from that date. This requirement must be maintained throughout the entire period of subsidy reception.
It is important to note the increase of the Official Minimum Wage to 1,134 euros gross per month in 14 payments for 2024, which affects the application for the subsidy for people over 52 and the income declaration.
Procedure for the income declaration
The beneficiaries must submit a sworn declaration of their income to SEPE, including all income types such as work, capital, and capital gains, among others.
The declaration must be filed every 12 months from the date the right to the subsidy began or from the last resumption of the subsidy. SEPE sets a 15 day window after completing the 12 months to submit this declaration.
It is crucial to submit this declaration on time each year. Failing to do so can lead to suspension of the subsidy. If it is found that the beneficiary exceeded the income limit, they might have to return what was received in error. Not filing the annual income declaration is considered a serious infringement by SEPE. Serious violations can lead to cancellation of the grant and may also carry additional penalties such as loss of eligibility for any economic support and, if applicable, employment promotion aid for a year, and a prohibition to participate in professional training during that period.
How to file the annual income declaration online
The SEPE website offers the possibility to file the annual income declaration for the subsidy of people over 52. This requires authentication and a digital signature, meaning a user account obtained through Cl@ve, a Digital Certificate, or DNIe.
Once identified through one of these access methods, the user should click Continue after reviewing the data protection notice. If the applicant2s data are correct, press Continue. If the data to be filled in next are incorrect, choose Exit and visit the relevant employment office to request a correction.
Next, mark the box to declare that income has not varied since the last declaration or that it has changed by less than 75 percent of the Official Minimum Wage, excluding the two extra payments, and press Continue.
Then verify banking details, which determine where the subsidy payment will be made. Only update them if they have changed since the last submission. Click Continue. The next step is to validate the residence address and notification address and press Continue. If there is an error, exit the process and go to an Employment Office.
Now is the time to submit the annual income declaration. On this screen, the declaration can be previewed and even downloaded. Be sure to click on Submit annual income declaration to finalize the process and then complete the electronic signature.
Finally, a last screen will confirm that the processing was successful and provide options to download the receipt, the decision if applicable, and additional information.