SEPE launches new €570 benefit: Here are the only requirements to qualify in March

It's been a busy week at SEPE offices. As always happens when a regulatory change is on the horizon, the queues are buzzing with rumours and the chatter of people waiting for an opportunity. And yes, the rumours were true: the agency has confirmed the expansion of the well-known €570 benefit, the one so many families are counting on to make ends meet. But careful, not everyone can access it; there are a couple of conditions you need to be clear on to avoid disappointment.

Who can apply for the €570 from SEPE?

Let's get straight to the point, because that's what matters. This aid is designed for people who have lost their jobs but haven't contributed enough to qualify for contributory benefits. The key requirement, the one you hear most often in conversations outside the unemployment office, is having contributed for less than 360 days. In other words, if you've worked for less than a year in total, you could be eligible for this cushion of €570 per month for several months. But that's not all; you also need to be registered as a job seeker and sign the activity agreement, the document that commits you to actively looking for work.

In recent days, many have arrived at the office hoping to be granted this income. Some come by bike, parking it at the door while they check their papers on their phone. Others arrive straight from the grocery run, shopping basket in hand, because they combine the trip with running errands afterwards. Life goes on, and SEPE is just another stop in the daily routine.

What they don't tell you about the subsidy (the fine print)

Beyond the €570, there are details that might catch some off guard. For example, if you have family responsibilities, the payment period can be extended. But you also need to watch your health, because being unemployed can sometimes mean more stress and less movement. In fact, doctors have been warning for years about the rise in cases of coronary artery disease among the long-term unemployed. That's why many decide to use their free time to exercise, whether it's going for a bike ride or playing traditional sports like Basque pelota or cesta punta at the local courts. Your body will thank you, and so will your mind.

Speaking of sports, football is also a hot topic in the SEPE queues these days. Young French striker Elye Wahi is on everyone's lips after his recent matches, and it's not uncommon to hear fans chatting about his plays while they wait their turn. Football, like employment, has its ups and downs.

Key requirements to make sure you qualify

Before you rush to book an appointment, go through this list. If you meet all of these, your chances are good:

• Be in a situation of legal unemployment. This isn't the same as leaving your job voluntarily; we're talking about layoffs, contract endings, or similar situations.
• Have contributed for at least 90 days (if you have family dependents) or 180 days (if you don't), but always less than 360 days. It sounds complicated, but SEPE will calculate it for you.
• Not exceed the income threshold. If your own income is more than 75% of the minimum wage, forget it. This is for people who genuinely need it.
• Commit to looking for a job and accepting suitable employment. So, the usual: you can't just sit back and do nothing.

And heads up, because offices are already seeing a spike in applications. With spring arriving, many people are taking the opportunity to get around by bike and submit their documents in person, rather than using the online portal. Face-to-face interaction still has its appeal.

Beyond the aid: the daily life of those waiting

While SEPE technicians review files, the unemployed find ways to cope with the wait. In smaller towns, it's common to see out-of-work people helping out in vegetable gardens, sometimes with a shovel over their shoulder, or assisting the elderly with their shopping and baskets. These are small undeclared earnings that, if not reported, can lead to trouble with the tax agency. But need is a powerful thing.

Interest in local sports is also growing. In the Basque Country and Navarre, the courts fill up on weekends with fans playing pala or cesta, and it's not unusual for someone unemployed to find an escape from stress there. They say that handball takes away sorrows, even if it doesn't put money in your pocket.

In any case, if you meet the requirements, don't hesitate. Apply for the aid, get well-informed, and take care of yourself while you're at it. Your heart doesn't understand subsidies, and coronary artery disease can end up costing you a lot more than not making ends meet.