Subsidy for 52 and Older: SEPE Support in Spain
The subsidy for individuals aged 52 and above is one of the most significant benefits offered by the Servicio Público de Empleo Estatal (SEPE) in Spain. It is designed as financial support for unemployed people who are at least 52 years old, helping them transition toward retirement while ensuring some economic stability during this period.
To qualify for this subsidy, there are several requirements explained below:
- Age: Must be 52 years or older when applying.
- Unemployment status: Must be registered as a job seeker and have exhausted unemployment benefits.
- Social Security contributions: Must have at least 15 years of social security contributions, with at least two of those years contributed in the last 15 years.
- Income limits: Must not exceed SEPE’s income threshold, set at 75% of the Minimum Interprofessional Salary, excluding extraordinary payments.
- Activity agreement: Must comply with the activity agreement included in the subsidy application, meaning actively seeking employment.
Beneficiaries must meet several obligations, including:
- Contributing to unemployment insurance.
- Providing the required documentation for recognizing and maintaining the subsidy.
- Participating in employment programs, training, or professional reconversion if required.
- Renewing the job demand and attending SEPE appointments.
- Requesting a suspension or termination of the subsidy when necessary.
- Returning any improperly received amounts.
- Registering and maintaining registration as a job seeker.
Penalties for Subsidy Beneficiaries Aged 52 and Over
SEPE may sanction noncompliance with the obligations attached to this aid, and in some cases, the most serious violations could lead to losing the subsidy. Read carefully which actions constitute infractions and the sanctions they carry.
Infractions are categorized as minor, serious, and very serious, with corresponding penalties.
- Minor infractions: Missing appointments with SEPE, not complying with the activity agreement, failing to provide necessary information for notifications, or not remaining registered as a job seeker.
- Serious infractions: Failing to report changes affecting eligibility, refusing suitable job offers, or declining participation in employment programs.
- Very serious infractions: Acting fraudulently to obtain undue benefits, combining benefits with paid work inappropriately, colluding with an employer for improper access to any social security benefit, and failing to allocate or divert benefits as required by employment promotion programs.
All beneficiaries are subject to the same obligations mentioned above, including.
- Contributing to unemployment insurance.
- Providing necessary documentation for recognition and maintenance of the subsidy.
- Participating in required employment, training, or reconversion programs.
- Renewing the job demand and attending SEPE appointments.
- Requesting the suspension or termination of unemployment benefits when needed.
- Returning improperly received amounts.
- Registering and maintaining registration as a job seeker.
Infractions related to these obligations are classified as minor, serious, and very serious, with corresponding penalties.
Minor infractions
- First infraction: Loss of one month of benefits.
- Second infraction: Loss of three months of benefits.
- Third infraction: Loss of six months of benefits.
- Fourth infraction: Termination of benefits.
Penalties apply starting from the first infraction, and when less than 365 days pass between a minor infraction and the previous one, irrespective of the type of infraction.
Serious infractions
- First infraction: Loss of three months of benefits.
- Second infraction: Loss of six months of benefits.
- Third infraction: Termination of benefits.
Very serious infractions
According to SEPE’s website, very serious infractions in unemployment benefits or the autonomy subsidy can lead to extinction of the benefit. They may also result in exclusion from any economic benefit or job promotion aid for one year and a period during which participation in employment training is restricted.