Receiving the salary and unemployment allowance at the same time is no longer an impossible idea. The government approved an exceptional measure that allows certain unemployed to accumulate part of the subsidy while returning to the labor market in an attempt to accelerate return to employment and reduce prolonged unemployment.
According to Ekonomist, a website specializing in economics and finance, the measure, called incentive to return to work (IRT Jovem), was published in Diário da República and applies to those who receive unemployment allowance and accept a new work proposal.
In these cases, it is possible to continue to receive up to 35% of the value of the installment simultaneously with the new salary.
What changes with the new rule
It explains the same source that the purpose of the program is to reward those who return to the job market, without penalizing the performance during the first months of reintegration. So far, those who found employment automatically lost the subsidy; But with the new rule, you can keep a part of it temporarily.
The value of the support depends on the type of contract. If it is without a term, the worker can accumulate 35% of the allowance. Already if it is the right term or uncertain, the value drops to 25%.
This support remains until the end of the granting period or until the end of the employment contract, if it is shorter.
Rules and applications
According to the ekonomist, to have access to incentive it is necessary that the employment contract is at least six months with full time, and to be celebrated with an active company in continental territory.
The application must be made through the Portal of the Institute of Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP), within 30 days after the beginning of the contract. After approval, the support is paid in three phases: 30% at the beginning, 30% in half and 40% at the end of the contract, provided that the requirements continue to be met.
The measure can only be used once per beneficiary. In case of non -compliance, simulation or early termination of the contract, the beneficiary may have to return the amount received.
Context and impact
The government explains that this policy arises at a time when prolonged unemployment continues to affect thousands of people, especially among the younger ones.
According to the latest data cited by the youth unemployment in Portugal, it was around 21% between 2020 and 2024, a value far above the European average.
With this incentive, the executive wants to stimulate stable job creation, reduce the time of permanence in unemployment and ensure a smoother transition between allowance and active work.
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