Paulo Novais / Lusa
The proposal also provides that beneficiaries will have the right to transportation, food and insurance against personal accidents when social work takes up at least 4 hours a day.
According to the proposed law submitted by the Government to Parliament, the obligation to carry out social work will not be limited to the holder of the new Single Social Benefit. Other adult members of the household who live in the same household and are unemployed may also be called upon to participate in social solidarity activities, particularly in the areas of social economy and civil protection.
Tasks will have a limit of 15 hours per weekreaching 20 hours per week after the third renewal of the benefit. The work must be compatible with the qualifications and skills of the participants. When the activity lasts four hours or more per day, beneficiaries will be entitled to transportation, food, personal accident insurance and a participation ticket, supported by the promoting entity.
The proposal also states that working-age PSU applicants will have to be registered with a job center, be available to work or attend professional training activities and prove compliance with certain obligations, including payment of social housing rent, when applicable.
The expected penalties are significant. The holder who refuses an offer of employment considered suitable, vocational training or social work will be prevented from receiving the PSU for two years. During this period, it will also no longer be considered when calculating the benefit, even if the request is submitted by another member of the household.
In the case of other members of the household subject to the same obligations, refusal of employment or social work implies the exclusion from benefit for one year.
Students, pensioners, main informal caregivers, people with disability equal to or greater than 80%, beneficiaries of absolute disability pensions and citizens temporarily unable to work for duly proven health reasons are exempt from these requirements, reports the .
The PSU will add 13 social benefits currently existing non-contributory benefits, including the Social Insertion Income (RSI), unemployment benefit, old-age social pension and various social supports linked to parenthood and disability.
The creation of the PSU was agreed with the European Commission and Portugal risks losing 500 million euros of the PRR if the measure is not approved by August. Although the Government wants to move forward with the measure before the summer, the calendar contained in the diploma points to the entry into force of the Single Social Benefit on January 1st of next year.
