The SEPE, unemployment benefit and aid in Spain

You are entitled to the contributory benefit (prestación contributiva) if you lost your job involuntarily (dismissal or end of a temporary contract) and previously contributed to social security for at least 360 days in the past six years, and were able to work and registered as a job seeker.

• The duration of entitlement ranges from four months to two years depending on days of contribution (for example 360 days gives four months, and up to 720 days and above gives 24 months).
• The amount is 70 per cent of the regulatory base in the first six months then 50 per cent, with minimum and maximum by household and children.
• And entitlements are calculated by your contributions, and tax and social security are deducted.
• If you resigned voluntarily you are usually not entitled.

You have 15 working days from the date your work ended to submit the benefit application, and delay reduces the benefit duration by the number of late days.

• Submit the application via SEPE's sede electrónica with Cl@ve or the digital certificate or by appointment at the employment office.
• You are asked for the termination letter or certificado de empresa from the employer, your bank details, your NIE/TIE ID and passport.
• Then you register as a job seeker (DARDE) and sign the activity commitment (compromiso de actividad), that is a commitment to seek work and accept suitable offers.
• You renew your registration periodically (sellado) online or by phone.
• And benefits are paid monthly after the decision.
• And tell SEPE at once when you get a job or a change in income.

You are asked to search actively for work, attend appointments and courses to which SEPE calls you, accept suitable offers, renew your registration on its dates, and report any change in your situation (work, travel, income, family status).

• The benefit may be suspended, cancelled or reduced if you refuse suitable work, ignore a summons or do not renew your registration.
• Travelling outside Spain for more than 15 days without informing may stop the benefit.
• And concealing work or income is an offence leading to repayment of amounts and fines and may reach criminal prosecution.
• And record all your job searches and messages.
• You have the right to see your file and object to sanctions.

If your benefit ends or you did not complete enough contributions you may be entitled to an unemployment subsidy (subsidio por desempleo) which is a fixed amount (about 80 per cent of the IPREM index) under conditions: no sufficient income, sometimes family responsibilities, minimum contribution periods, and special cases for the disabled and those over 52.

• Someone without income can request the minimum vital income (Ingreso Mínimo Vital, IMV) from social security, under conditions of continuous legal residence for at least a year and income and assets, and regional aid (renta garantizada) is available.
• They are submitted via the social security sites or social services.
• Ask a social services specialist in your town hall about all options, since he helps with the application.
• And know that some residence statuses do not allow receiving aid.

SEPE and the regions offer free courses for the unemployed (language, trades and technology) and recognised professional certificates, a personal adviser for career guidance, and workshops on CVs and interviews.

• Ask about programmes for women, young people, migrants and older people.
• And the state supports self-employment projects through capitalización del paro, that is paying the benefit in one lump to start an activity, under conditions.
• If your application is refused or your benefit reduced submit a reclamación previa, that is an administrative objection, within 30 days, then to the social court (Juzgado de lo Social).
• Use the union or free legal aid.
• And for urgent matters contact social services.

How many working days to submit the paro application?