The Public State Employment Service (SEPE)
Those people who are unemployed have the support of the State Public Employment Service (SEPE). This body aims to provide a series of aid for those people who are unemployed and performs a fundamental task so that many families have the necessary resources to move forward.
SEPE services
One of the main benefits offered by the SEPE is financial aid for unemployment. This benefit is granted to beneficiaries for a period of 2 years. Once this term has been met, the beneficiaries have the option of opting for other subsidies.
It should be borne in mind that, at a certain age, it can be difficult to rejoin the labor market, as many companies prefer to hire younger staff with future prospects. However, the over-52 allowance has become an essential benefit for a sector of the population. Currently, there are more than 400,000 beneficiaries of this subsidy, and this number is expected to increase in the future.
Requirements for the over 52 allowance
The SEPE establishes a series of requirements to be able to access the allowance for those over 52 years of age:
1. Use up the unemployment benefit.
2. Being unemployed.
3. Not being a fixed intermittent worker.
4. Have 15 years listed, with 2 of these within the last 15 years.
5. Have paid for unemployment for at least 6 years of working life.
Amount and payment of the subsidy
Currently, the amount of this aid is 480 euros per month, and payment is made between the 10th and 15th of each month. It had been planned to increase the amount up to 750 euros from June 1, 2024, but this reform was not approved by the Congress of Deputies.
Political decision
The decision not to approve the increase in the amount of the over-52 allowance was influenced by the political positions of the different parties. The Popular Party (PP) and VOX voted against the reform, while Podemos was decisive with its refusal. Podemos considered the reform to be a cut for people over 52.
Podemos did not share the change in the contribution model for the pension, which involved a reduction in the amount. In addition, the reform included measures such as the possibility of working and collecting part of the unemployment, as well as the protection of new groups.
