With March arriving and a deep cold wave lingering, many families in Spain brace for economically challenging days. The crisis and rising prices driven by inflation have made life harder for households, and government support acts as a lifeline for those in vulnerable situations.
In this context, government spending on aid has long prioritized the most vulnerable groups, including the unemployed, low-income households, and families with dependents. For many families, these grants are a crucial source of income.
Subsidy-supported help for people over 52 you may not know about
Minimum Vital Income (IMV) compliant assistance
Some aids cannot be combined with others, for example the Minimum Vital Income (IMV) and the new 200 euro check. Yet, IMV can be compatible with family support and other related benefits under certain rules.
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The Minimum Vital Income is an aid designed for the most vulnerable families. With adjustments to contribution payments, its amount rose from 491.63 euros to 533.41 euros as of 1 January 2023. To qualify for the IMV, the government requires residency in Spain and demonstrated economic vulnerability. A summary of income and assets must be filed, and the aid amount scales with the size of the family unit.
IMV is not aligned with the new 200 euro government aid for low-income families. Although compatible with the non-contributory disability pension, it does not work with the non-contributory pension itself. However, it can be combined with family assistance.
An aid of 400 euros for students that you can claim without any income requirement
Family allowance of 480 euros per month
The family allowance targets those who have experienced long unemployment or face difficulties finding work. Workers who have exhausted unemployment benefits and carry family responsibilities can apply for this benefit. It also covers workers over 45 whose social rights have been exhausted.
All these benefits can align with the IMV requirements. It is therefore possible to receive both IMV and family assistance. In 2022, the family allowance increased from 463.21 euros to 480 euros alongside pension increases. Combining the two could yield a total income around 1,013 euros per household, though eligibility depends on meeting specific conditions for rights holders.
Benefits available to unemployed individuals without a contribution history
Requirements to receive both IMV and family allowance
The sole condition for receiving both benefits is that the combined amount does not exceed 75 percent of the Inter-Professional Minimum Salary, set at 750 euros. If a person receives one benefit and then starts another, the combined payout is capped at the 750 euro limit, and it cannot reach the full 1,013 euros in any case.
Most applicants are single individuals, caregivers for dependent minors, or those with two dependent minors. To combine both benefits, the requirements of each program must be met. Failing to meet the criteria for one grant results in non-compliance for both.