A SEPE advisor confirms that those over 55 have the right to receive an indefinite subsidy in these cases.

Unemployment benefits are crucial for people who have lost their jobs, as they represent the last chance of receiving some kind of income to offset the financial loss of being unemployed. But in some cases, they are even more important.

This is the case of people close to retirement age . In their case, reintegration into the workforce is presumed to be more complicated than for younger workers, which is why they are granted less protection. This idea was emphasized by Fernando Maján, advisor to the Deputy Directorate General of Benefits at the SEPE (State Public Employment Service), in an appearance on the Onda Madrid radio program "Madrid Trabaja."

Maján answered a listener's question about whether, after more than a year out of work and approaching 55, she could receive the subsidy for those over 52. As almost always, the answer to the question depends on several factors.

The advisor warns that " it's not just about being of age and having years of contributions ," since the regulations require the future beneficiary of a subsidy for those over 52 to have exhausted their contributory benefit or be legally unemployed.

While in the first case, after unemployment benefits are exhausted, a benefit for exhaustion is collected, which is transformed into a benefit for those over 52 years of age, in the second, contributions must have been accumulated for at least 90 days and the end of the employment relationship must be one of those considered legal unemployment situations ( the SEPE lists them in this link on its website ).

Furthermore, there is an alternative situation under which the subsidy would also be granted to those over 52: the key is that some requirements that are not met at the time of applying for it can be proven "a posteriori" and, at that time, generate entitlement to the subsidy.

Maján explains: "If you are under 52 years old when your benefits expire or you are legally unemployed, but you remain registered continuously from that time until you turn 52 , you can then apply for the subsidy for those over 52 and you will be eligible for it without any problem."

The SEPE details them on its website and they are as follows:

• Exhaust unemployment benefits or be legally unemployed.
• Be at least 52 years of age.
• Be registered as a job seeker and have signed the activity agreement.
• Meet all requirements, except age, to receive a contributory retirement pension.
• Have at least six years of unemployment contributions.
• Not having income greater than 75% of the Interprofessional Minimum Wage, excluding the proportional share of two extra payments.

Unlike other subsidies that start from higher figures , the amount of the subsidy for those over 52 years of age is 480 euros per month , corresponding to 80% of the IPREM , the Multiple Effects Income Indicator.

However, this subsidy has an advantage that other subsidies don't: its contribution to retirement. Specifically, while receiving it, a worker contributes 125% of the minimum contribution base in force at any given time.