Earthquake in SEPE benefits: you can collect 2,850 euros with only 5 months of contributions and without any dependent children.

Typically, when a worker loses their job in Spain , they are entitled to a benefit commonly known as unemployment benefit . To qualify, they must meet a series of requirements, such as having contributed a minimum of 360 days in the six years prior to becoming unemployed. But what happens if they don't reach this minimum amount?

The State Public Employment Service ( SEPE ) also considers these cases in which people have not contributed enough to qualify for this benefit. This aid can amount to up to 2,850 euros for workers without dependents.

It's called a subsidy for insufficient contributions , and to qualify for it, you can't be entitled to unemployment benefits, as the two benefits are incompatible . Furthermore, you must have worked for at least 90 days and have no income of your own.

Amount and duration of the benefit

The amount to be received will depend, of course, on the length of work for less than a year. We have already mentioned that the minimum is 90 days. During the first six months, the employee receives 95% of the Public Indicator of Multiple Effects Income (IPREM), set at €570 per month in 2025. From the seventh month onward, the benefit would drop to 90%, or €540 per month, and from the 13th month onward, it would drop to 80% , or €480.

Therefore, a worker without dependents will receive:

• 90 days of contributions: 570 euros per month for three months, i.e. 1,710 euros.
• For 120 days of contributions: 570 euros per month for four months, i.e. 2,280 euros.
• For 150 days of contributions: 570 euros per month for five months: 2,850 euros.

To receive the subsidy for the maximum duration of 21 months , you must have family responsibilities, without having to prove a lack of personal income.