The maximum value of the unemployment allowance rises 0.5% to 1.053,3 euros – Jornal de Negócios – Portugal

421,32 euros. This is the new value of the so-called social support index (IAS), the value that serves as reference to the fixation of a series of levels and social support, in areas as diverse as Social Security, Education or Health. It is updated at 0.5% for the first time since 2009.

the ordinance that was published this Tuesday in the official Gazette, with retroactive effect to 1 January, rises, for example, the maximum value of the unemployment allowance, which grows 5.25 euros by passing the set in 1.053,3 euros.

This maximum value is still far below what existed prior to the adjustment programme, the time left to have as a reference the 3 IAS (some of 1,258 euros) and went on to have as a reference the 2.5 IAS (about 1.048 euros), in addition to determining cuts of 10% at the end of six months, that not to safeguard the minimum value were in October contested by the Ombudsman.

This reduction of 20%, applied in 2012, had as a counterpart a reduction in the contributions intended to finance the provision, which theoretically applies to all the wages, even in cases in which the maturity is very high.

The changes will have influenced the average value of unemployment benefits, which fell 10% in four years.

Impact cross

The social support index has replaced the minimum wage, which was the previous reference, and that allowed the minimum wage to rise more significantly without dragging social spending.

in Addition to determining minimum amounts or maximum, as in the case of unemployment insurance (unemployment or health insurance benefits, the IAS also determines the ranks, or is, the value of income below which have access to the particular support or service.

it Is the case of the scales for the update of pensions, for access to the family allowance, or that determine the exemption of user fees in the case of the unemployed, or the access to scholarships, among many other situations.

For being so cross, the budgetary impact of the IAS may be difficult to calculate.

In September, the minister of Labour guarantee that the update, which is based on the inflation registered in the previous year, is “financially viable”.

News updated at 12:03 with more information about the solidarity supplement for the elderly.