Benefits
When a benefit is refused, sometimes there is a mistake that can be corrected. We review the decision and claim on your behalf.
What it involves
Benefits (prestaciones) are the financial support the public system provides when you cannot work or lose income: unemployment benefit (prestación por desempleo, or «el paro») and the SEPE allowances, sick pay, birth benefit, retirement pension, or widow's, widower's and orphan's pensions. If they are refused, reduced or you are asked to pay them back, you can make a claim.
Is this your case?
- The SEPE has refused your unemployment benefit after your contract ended.
- Your allowance has been suspended or withdrawn and you don't understand why.
- You are being asked to pay back money you received in good faith.
- You have been refused a widow's or widower's pension or a retirement pension.
How we help
We read the decision, review your Social Security work history (vida laboral) and check whether the decision is correct. If it isn't, we prepare the objections or the prior claim (reclamación previa) and, when necessary, the claim before the employment court (juzgado de lo social). We also advise you before you apply for a benefit, so that your application is complete. And if you are a foreign national, we take into account how the benefit fits in with the renewal of your permit. We can help you in Spanish, Arabic, Tamazight, French and English, at our offices in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Málaga and Barcelona or online, wherever you are in Spain.
If the problem lies in your contributions, we review your situation with Social Security, and if it is time to renew, we help you with residence renewals.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between unemployment benefit and the unemployment allowance?
- Unemployment benefit (prestación por desempleo, known as «el paro») depends on the contributions you have paid while working. The allowance (subsidio) is support for people who are not entitled to unemployment benefit or have already used it up, and it has its own conditions. We tell you which one may apply to you.
- What should I do if the SEPE asks me to pay back my unemployment benefit?
- Don't ignore it: check the letter and the reason, because sometimes it is a mistake or a debatable interpretation. You can submit objections (alegaciones) or a claim, and we help you do it in time.
- Can I receive unemployment benefit if I am a foreign national with a work permit?
- If you have worked legally and paid contributions in Spain, in general you have the same rights as any other worker. In addition, receiving a benefit can be taken into account in some renewals of your residence permit.
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Tell us about your case.
A first conversation — confidential and without obligation — to understand whether we can help, and how.
We speak Spanish, Arabic, Tamazight (Berber), French and English.