SEPE: These are the reasons that lead to losing the subsidy for people over 52 years of age

Susana Zamora

People aged 52 or over who have exhausted the unemployment benefit or subsidy can opt for a benefit of 451.92 euros per month (updated to 2021) until they reach retirement age (at which point they will start receiving the corresponding pension) or a new employment contract.

To access this benefit, it is necessary to have met the requirements for ordinary retirement (except age), that is, 15 years of contributions (and at least two of them during the 15 years prior to requesting the aid) and to have contributed for unemployment. a minimum of six years in the General Scheme throughout the applicant's working life.

It is the only non-contributory aid that continues to contribute to be able to request the pension. Specifically, it quotes 125% of the minimum IPREM base, which this year amounts to 1,050 euros. Once the minimum age is reached, it will be possible to apply for retirement, whether contributory or early.

In addition, to access this subsidy, the Public Employment Service (SEPE) indicates another series of requirements, in addition to age, being unemployed and meeting the minimum number of years of contributions. The interested party must be registered as a job seeker for one month from the time the benefit that was being received is exhausted; he must fulfill the activity commitment that is included in the application; meet the requirement of lack of own income, that is, the applicant cannot have gross income of their own that exceeds 712.50 euros per month (75% of the SMI in 2021). The income of the other members of the family unit (spouse, children, etc.) is not taken into account, neither when applying for the subsidy nor during its validity.

However, the SEPE warns that the beneficiaries of this subsidy have the obligation to make an annual income statement. Failure to do so, this administration will suspend the payment of aid. It is a document detailing the income charged by the beneficiary, including the necessary documentation that justifies it.

The first submission period is 12 months after the payment of the first installment, a period that will be the same every year. From the indicated date, the beneficiary will have 15 working days to present the documents.

What income is taken into account?

-Gross income from paid employment, scholarships or other similar aid.

-Amount of compensation for termination of the contract, provided that it exceeds the legal compensation.

-Gross income from all kinds of benefits, with the exception of the benefit for a dependent child and the advance collection of the tax deduction for working women with children under 3 years of age.

-Gross income from bank accounts and financial investments.

-Returns on real estate capital

- Income from self-employment activities.

-Capital gains and other income

The annual income statement can be carried out at the SEPE Electronic Office if you have a digital certificate, electronic DNI or username and password.

But the income statement is not the only requirement to continue receiving this benefit. And it is that if during the collection of the subsidy other income is received that exceeds 75% of the Minimum Interprofessional Salary (SMI) in the monthly calculation, the requirement of lack of income will be exceeded. In this case, this aid would also stop automatically being collected.

In addition to these economic reasons, directly related to the beneficiary's income, the SEPE considers other circumstances that may lead to the temporary or permanent suspension of the benefit:

Not renewing the job application

Failure to renew the job application (seal the strike) may result in a sanction by the SEPE. If it is the first time, it will be the suspension of one month of subsidy; for the second time, it will be the suspension of three months; a third time, the SEPE will penalize with the withdrawal of six months of benefit; if you forget to renew the application for a fourth time, it will mean the definitive suspension of the unemployment subsidy.

Failure to comply with the activity commitment

When applying for the subsidy for unemployed people over 52 years of age, the SEPE requires signing an activity commitment. This means that you have to go to the calls of the Public Employment Service to carry out training courses, job interviews or employment exchanges. Failure to do so may lead to a sanction by the INEM and recidivism may mean losing the aid.

Work outside of Spain

Going abroad to work would be another reason why the SEPE can stop the payment of the benefit. However, upon returning to Spain, it could be requested again.

maternity or paternity leave

If the beneficiary of the subsidy has maternity or paternity leave, the benefit is paralyzed for the duration of the leave and when it ends, the aid is automatically resumed.