SEPE launches new €570 payment: these are the only requirements to claim it in March

It's been a busy week in SEPE offices. As always happens when a regulatory change is on the horizon, queues are mixed with rumours and the murmur of people waiting for an opportunity. And yes, the rumours were true: the agency has confirmed the extension of the well-known €570 payment, the one so many families are hoping for 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 the SEPE?

Let's get straight to the point, that's what matters. The support is designed for those who have lost their job 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. That means, 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 jobseeker and sign the activity commitment, the document that obliges you to actively look for work.

In recent days, many have arrived at the office hoping to be granted this income. Some come on their bike, parking it at the door while checking papers on their phone. Others arrive straight from the shopping, combining the trip to get groceries after their errands. Life goes on, and the SEPE is just one more stop in the daily routine.

What they don't tell you about the payment (the small print)

Beyond the €570, there are details that could catch some out. 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. Doctors have been warning for years about the increase in cases of coronary artery disease among long-term unemployed people. That's why many decide to use their free time to exercise, whether it's going for a spin on the bike or playing traditional sports like handball or Basque pelota in the local frontons. It does the body good and the mind too.

Speaking of sport, football is also a topic of conversation in the SEPE queues these days. The young French striker Elye Wahi is on everyone's lips after his recent matches, and it's not unusual to hear fans discussing 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 it, your chances are high:

• Be in a legal situation of unemployment. This isn't the same as leaving a job voluntarily; we're talking about redundancies, contract endings, or similar reasons.
• 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 the SEPE itself calculates it for you.
• Not exceed the income limit. If your own income is more than 75% of the minimum wage, forget it. This is for those who really need it.
• Commit to looking for work and accepting a suitable position. The usual stuff: sitting back and doing nothing isn't an option.

And watch out, because offices are already noticing an increase in applications. With spring arriving, many people are taking the opportunity to travel by bike and submit their documents in person, rather than doing it online. Face-to-face interaction still has its appeal.

Beyond the payment: the daily life of those waiting

While SEPE staff process the files, unemployed people find ways to cope with the wait. In towns, it's not uncommon to see jobseekers lending a hand in vegetable plots, sometimes with a shovel over their shoulder, or helping older people with their shopping. These are small undeclared earnings which, be careful, if not declared, can lead to trouble with Revenue. But necessity is a tough master.

Interest in local sports is also growing. In the Basque Country and Navarre, frontons fill up at weekends with fans playing handball or pelota, and it's not unusual for someone unemployed to find an escape from stress there. They say playing ball eases 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 payment, get properly 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 being able to make ends meet.