SEPE announces important changes to unemployment support for older workers
SEPE has issued new guidelines that will impact many long-term unemployed individuals. The public employment service has published details about revised conditions for receiving the unemployment subsidy specifically for people over 45 years of age. The update aims to clarify eligibility and streamline access to aid for those who meet the new rules.
For those who are long-term unemployed and over this age, there is a possibility to receive Active Entry Income up to 480 euros, provided they have exhausted their existing unemployment benefits and have rents or other entitlements still due. The subsidy known as RAI can last for 11 months and may be extended by up to three additional months under the updated criteria. In addition, victims of gender or domestic violence, individuals with a disability of 65% or more, and certain returning immigrants may qualify for this document, as long as they fall within SEPE’s imposed parameters.
Subsidy-compatible assistance for those over 52—what to know
There is a need to understand how this aid interacts with other benefits. If a recipient does not meet the new requirements, they could lose the RAI entirely. SEPE has indicated that the agency intends to redistribute support and tighten oversight of those receiving subsidies. Anyone who has already benefited from these subsidies should review their current status to determine whether RAI remains applicable.
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If a person collects Social Security benefits above the limit that qualifies them for RAI, they may lose eligibility. For example, earning around 810 euros per month, which is 75% of the Minimum Interprofessional Salary, could prevent continued receipt of RAI.
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Incarceration for more than six months also makes RAI incompatible with active job search, triggering withdrawal from the program.
Haven’t worked for a year? Unemployment benefits available to you
Even as the policy changes are set to reduce some forms of support, there remains a path for those who need it. The loss of RAI is not the end of the road. A claimant can pursue alternative avenues by entering or re-entering work, continuing to look for employment, exhausting available unemployment benefits and related subsidies, and demonstrating that they meet the prerequisites laid out for alternative forms of assistance. This approach requires careful documentation and an understanding of the specific eligibility criteria that qualify for continued support.
For claimants in North America or other regions, the underlying principle is to ensure that aid targets those most in need while maintaining integrity and accountability in the benefits system. Readers should consult official SEPE publications or trusted advisors to confirm current requirements, timelines, and any regional variations. The summaries here reflect guidance published by SEPE and are intended to help individuals navigate a complex landscape of unemployment support.
One can consider consulting official resources periodically to stay informed about potential amendments and transitional rules that may apply to ongoing cases. Updated guidance often includes examples of eligible income thresholds, duration limits, and the documentation needed to demonstrate eligibility for RAI or its alternatives.
Sources: official SEPE notices and guidance on unemployment subsidies for older workers and related protections. Attribution: SEPE publications and communications.