Losing your job can be a challenging phase, but there are social support available to help with this transition. Unemployment allowance is a money provision that aims to compensate for the involuntary loss of work performance. It is attributed by social security, but to receive it it is necessary to meet certain requirements and follow a specific process.
Who is entitled to unemployment allowance
The unemployment allowance is a benefit paid for social security to those who were without work for reasons beyond their will. To have access to this support, it is necessary to reside in Portugal, be available to work and be registered at the Residency Employment Center.
In addition, workers with an employment contract that have been in a situation of involuntary unemployment are only entitled to the subsidy. It is also mandatory to have worked at least 360 days, with registration of remuneration in the 24 months prior to the date of unemployment.
Necessary documentation
The request must be made in person at the Employment Center and accompanied by the unemployment statement (RP5044 form). This statement may be delivered by the worker or sent by the employer, provided that with express permission of the person concerned.
If the end of the contract has occurred for just cause, it is necessary to have evidence that a lawsuit was initiated against the employer. The same applies to those who invoked just cause to terminate the contract.
In cases of delay wages, the worker must submit the GD18 declaration and proof that he notified the employer and the authority for working conditions. In this scenario, the RP5044 declaration should not be presented.
Special conditions and deadlines
Migrant workers from the European Union, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland must present the U1 portable document, which indicates the relevant work periods for the calculation of the subsidy.
If the worker is temporarily sick within the first 90 days after unemployment, registration at the Employment Center can be made by someone else. However, the subsidy request continues to be made in person, as soon as possible.
The request must be submitted within 90 consecutive days from the date on which the worker was unemployed. If this deadline is not respected, the right to support may be lost.
Duration and payment of the subsidy
The duration of the subsidy depends on the age of the beneficiary and the number of months with remuneration registered since the last period of unemployment. This information can be verified on the Social Security Portal.
As stated, the monthly amount of the subsidy is calculated based on a percentage of the average salary, being subject to maximum and minimum limits established by law. Payment is made by bank transfer.
If the worker receives other social benefits or labor income, the amount of the subsidy may suffer reductions. It is mandatory to communicate any new professional activity, even if temporary or partial.
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Obligations during the subsidy period
Beneficiaries must renew the registration at the Employment Center as required. It is also mandatory to accept appropriate job offers, attend training and participate in support measures proposed by the services.
Refusing job offers or valid justification may lead to the suspension or definitive termination of the subsidy.
If the worker begins to work before the time of the subsidy is exhausted, the payment is suspended. However, if it becomes unemployed again within a certain period, you may resume support for the time left, without new request.
More information
All details about the unemployment allowance are available on the Social Security website. It is also possible to clarify doubts with the employment centers or through the telephone line of social security.
Knowing exactly what to do and what deadlines to do is essential to ensure that it does not lose financial support at a time of greater uncertainty.
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