In November, the unemployment benefit reform came into force, regulated in Royal Decree-Law 2/2024 and published in the Official State Gazette (BOE). Among the measures incorporated, the initial increase in the amounts of subsidies up to 570 euros, the improvement in access to benefits and the expansion of options for access to the Minimum Vital Income (IMV) stand out. Likewise, the possibility is established that the Workers who earn less than 1,350 euros per month can make unemployment payment compatible with their salarythrough what will be called employment support supplement.
This contributory benefit may be compatible with a job, whether full-time or part-time. Although many of the measures included in Royal Decree-Law 2/2024 will begin to apply from November 1, 2024, the possibility of working and collecting unemployment benefits simultaneously will not be available until April 1, 2025.
As pointed out by the Ministry of Labor and Social Economy, directed by Yolanda Díaz, the contributory unemployment benefit may be made compatible with a job if the salary does not exceed 1,350 euros per month (equivalent to 225% of the current IPREM). This compatibility may be applied for a maximum of 180 days (six months).
What are the requirements to get paid and work at the same time?
The employment support complement will make it possible to make the contributory unemployment benefit compatible with employed work, both full-time and part-time, provided that the worker’s salary does not exceed 225% of the IPREM (which are currently 1,350 euros per month). Furthermore, it will be necessary to the approved unemployment that we are consuming was granted for a period greater than 12 months (1 year) and they have after at least nine months from the beginning of perception.
The initial amount of the supplement will be 80% of the IPREM (480 euros per month for full days), but it will decrease over time depending on the type of work day. This measure will be supervised through an agreement between the SEPE and the Labor Inspection, with inspection actions to control possible fraud.
Finally, according to the third additional provision of the Royal Decree-Law, starting in 2026, an additional limit of 375% of the IPREM will be implemented, which will affect the compatibility regime.
Amounts
The amount that will be charged for the employment support supplement, that is, what can be collected from unemployment benefits while working, varies depending on the quarter in which the beneficiary is and the working day:
| Quarter | FALLS. Full-time employment (% IPREM) | FALLS. Partial employment ≥ 75% of the working day (% IPREM) | FALLS. Partial employment < 75% and ≥ 50% of the working day (% IPREM) | FALLS. Partial employment < 50% of the working day (% IPREM) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st quarter | 80% | 75% | 70% | 60% |
| 2nd quarter | 60% | 50% | 45% | 40% |
| 3rd quarter | 40% | 35% | 30% | 25% |
| 4th quarter | 30% | 25% | 20% | 15% |
| 5th trimester and subsequent | 20% | 15% | 10% | 5% |
So, for example, a person who has been collecting unemployment benefits for 9 months and finds full-time work will be able to collect 80% of the IPREM during the following three months (from month 10 to month 13 of collecting aid). However, if you find work on the same date, but it is part-time, working less than half of the full day, you would earn 60% of the IPREM.
What other measures does the BOE include?
Royal Decree-Law 2/2024 allows make unemployment benefits compatible with a salary for up to 180 days, without reducing its initial amountalthough adjusting to the work day. In addition, it maintains the maximum duration of 30 months and improves access to this aid.
To facilitate access to the subsidy, the month of waiting that was previously necessary to request it after exhausting the contributory benefit is eliminated. With this new rule, beneficiaries will be able to begin collecting the subsidy from the first day of application.
Another important improvement is that people who have worked part-time will no longer see the amount of the subsidy reduced in proportion to their previous hours worked (previously, for example, if you were part-time, the subsidy that would correspond to you would be half, 240 euros ). From now on, They will be able to access the full amount of the subsidy, regardless of the working day.
The decree also expands the access to the subsidy for those who have not accumulated the 12 months of contributions necessary for a contributory benefit. This will especially benefit young people with temporary or short-term contracts, giving them greater protection.
Finally, in the case of permanent-discontinuous workers, the subsidy may be suspended if they do not return to their position when called, unless they have a justified cause. This measure seeks to guarantee adequate use of aid and encourage a return to employment.