Unemployment benefits are the most important form of unemployment assistance. More than 685,000 people benefit from it (at least that was the case last September, according to SEPE data), although within this wide range there are different subsidies from which people who have exhausted their right may or may not benefit. unemployed. the right to receive this contributory benefit.
Starting November 1, two of these grants will see a fundamental change: the amount of subsidies for insufficient contributions and for exhaustion of unemployment will increase their amounts for several months.
All this is due to the reform of unemployment benefits, a necessary measure for the government to receive payment from covid funds and which had to be approved in the second instance by Congress after Podemos canceled it in the government’s first attempt not to accept spending cuts. the subsidy contribution for those over 52.
As can be seen in Royal Decree-Law 2/2024 (available on this link), “the amount of subsidies for exhaustion and insufficient contributions is modified, by introducing a formula of decreasing amounts, in three sections”. However, this does not start from 480 euros per month, but from a higher amount in the first two installments to later reach the initial amount in the third and last.
New unemployment benefit amounts
- During the first 180 days it is 95% of the IPREM, the Public Income Indicator with Multiple Effects, or an amount of 570 euros per month.
- During the following 180 days it is 90% of the IPREM, or an amount of 540 euros per month.
- From day 361, the amount is 80% of the IPREM, usual amount: 480 euros per month.
Who benefits from increased unemployment benefits?
However, these increases do not concern all people who receive subsidies for insufficient contributions or for exhaustion of unemployment. These increases will only be effective for profits generated from November 1: Any service previously requested will not benefit from the increase.
This is explained by the third transitional provision of the law: “Persons who, as of November 1, 2024, had requested, were beneficiaries of or had suspended one of the unemployment benefits existing at the time of the entry into force of the present royal decree. law, including extraordinary unemployment benefit, or active integration income, will continue to be governed by the regulations prior to this royal decree-law until the extinction of the current right.
