The extraordinary income support will finally reach the Portuguese people’s accounts: albeit several months late. According to Notícias ao Minuto, more than 129 thousand tenants will receive retroactive payments corresponding to the period between January and August this month. However, around 58 thousand processes remain suspended, which keeps some beneficiaries waiting.
The measure, which aims to alleviate the burden of income on the family budget, has faced multiple delays since the beginning of the year, leading to complaints from citizens and alerts from various entities. Among them, the Ombudsman’s Office, which has already called for an urgent review of the program, after receiving a significant number of complaints that point out flaws in the calculation and allocation of support.
What is extraordinary income support
Extraordinary income support consists of a monthly, non-refundable financial subsidy, which can reach up to 200 euros, according to the Institute of Housing and Urban Rehabilitation (IHRU). The value is calculated based on the difference between the rate of effort supported by the family and a maximum rate of 35%, as explained by Notícias ao Minuto.
The objective is to help households with income up to the 6th tax bracket, that is, up to 38,632 euros per year, to support the increase in rents, ensuring greater housing stability in a context of widespread rise in living costs.
Who can receive support
Households that meet all the required conditions can benefit from support. These include having tax residence in Portugal, holding a permanent housing lease or sublease registered with the Tax Authority until March 15, 2023, and having an income effort rate equal to or greater than 35%.
Furthermore, the household’s annual income cannot exceed the limit of the 6th IRS bracket. Those who do not submit an income declaration must present monthly proof declared to Social Security or evidence of social benefits, such as pensions, unemployment benefits, parental benefits, illness benefits or social insertion income.
According to the IHRU, eligible households are automatically informed by the Tax Authority of the amount allocated and the criteria considered in the calculation.
When and how payment is made
Payment is made automatically by Social Security, by the 20th of each month, by bank transfer. According to Notícias ao Minuto, with the payment of the first installment, retroactive payments relating to rent paid since January are also settled.
In cases where the monthly support amount is less than 20 euros, payment is made every six months. Although this model was designed to simplify the process, several beneficiaries complained of glitches and significant delays.
Ombudsman calls for urgent review
The Ombudsman’s Office denounced “serious irregularities” in the program and sent a letter to the State Department of Housing asking for an urgent review. The organization considers that errors persist in the application of the rules and in automatic communications with beneficiaries.
Still, the payment that starts this month represents an expected relief for thousands of families who have seen support being successively postponed. According to , the Government guarantees that all outstanding processes will be regularized by the end of the year, ensuring that no eligible family is left out.
With this reinforcement, many tenants will finally see the amount they have been waiting for months reach their bills: support that, for many, makes all the difference in balancing their family budget.
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