Who qualifies for Minimum Living Income?
There are times when a person may still meet basic living needs even without a job. In those cases, help is available in the form of a safety net. The Minimum Living Income is a social security benefit designed to provide support to people at risk of social exclusion or poverty who meet certain economic, asset, and residence requirements.
Minimum Living Income was established by social security authorities in 2020 to guard against social exclusion. It targets individuals who live alone or share housing but lack enough resources to cover fundamental needs. This program aims to ensure a basic standard of living even when other income sources are limited.
Who can apply for this support?
Eligibility extends to several groups. Unmarried individuals over the age of 23 may qualify. Women of legal age without a de facto partner or not affiliated with another cohabiting unit can apply, as can survivors of gender violence or victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Additionally, those aged 18 to 22 who come from youth protection centers or who are experiencing homelessness may be considered for support.
In 2024, the basic figure for the Minimum Vital Income, along with other pensions such as minimum and non-contributory pensions, rose to 6.9 percent. This adjustment follows Royal Decree 2/2023 and aligns with the Toledo Pact’s recommendations. The exact amounts available under different personal situations are published in the Social Security Journal. For a single person, the IMV allocation is 600 euros per month, while those caring for a minor child are entitled to 784 euros per month.
Official guidance emphasizes that the payment scales with family circumstances and the household’s overall situation. The program intends to act as a temporary bridge, helping recipients stabilize their finances while exploring work, training, or other avenues to improve long-term income. The Social Security administration provides detailed eligibility criteria and calculation methods to ensure transparency and fairness in distributing these funds.
Recipients may experience changes in their household composition or income that affect eligibility. Consequently, periodic reviews ensure that the support aligns with current economic conditions and legal requirements. The program’s design prioritizes dignity and stability, aiming to reduce poverty while enabling greater participation in the labor market when feasible.