Finance: Welfare news in Portugal

Two-thirds of future beneficiaries will earn more with the new PSU

Single Social Benefit: Whistleblowing channel excluded from the proposal

Nova SBE identifies opportunities to make social welfare payments in Portugal more efficient

The Nova School of Business and Economics has analysed ways to improve the efficiency of social security and welfare payment systems within the Portuguese context.

Jornal Económico10 Sept

Young people who neither work nor study may have to perform 20 hours of community service to receive PSU

Young people who are neither working nor studying, and do not have a disability, may have to complete up to 20 hours of community service to access the Single Social Benefit (PSU). According to the ordinance published this Thursday in the Diário da República, in these cases, five hours may be added to the weekly limit.

PSU returns to Parliament: Livre and BE want to amend the bill, PCP studies revocation request

Livre, PCP and BE have joined forces to bring the PSU to Parliament, contesting cuts to certain benefits, the reference value of 268 euros, and the mandatory social work requirement.

After all, only movable assets above 32,000 euros block access to the Single Social Benefit

Ultimately, only households whose movable assets exceed 32,227.8 euros will be denied access to the new Single Social Benefit (PSU), a measure that consolidates and replaces 13 existing social support schemes. In the initial proposal submitted to Parliament, the Government proposed setting this ceiling at approximately 16,000 euros, but the decree-law...

President of the Republic enacts decree-law creating the Single Social Benefit

The President of the Republic enacted the decree-law creating the Single Social Benefit (PSU) this Friday. António José Seguro warns, however, that the simplification process must not result in a “reduction of social protection” and that it must be ensured that “no one is disadvantaged” compared to the current situation.

PSU: Government admits that 6% of future beneficiaries will see a reduction in support

The Ministry of Social Security guarantees that “none of the current beneficiaries of the 13 benefits aggregated by the Single Social Benefit will be disadvantaged by the new regime.”

Government promises equal or higher PSU for 94% of future beneficiaries

The Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security (MTSSS) guaranteed this Friday that the value of the Single Social Benefit (PSU) will be equal to or higher for 'about 94% of future beneficiaries', denying that current ones will be disadvantaged. In a statement, the Ministry states that 'none of the current beneficiaries of the 13 benefits aggregated by the PSU...'

PSU may reduce support for 6% of future beneficiaries

People currently receiving any of the 13 types of support that will be integrated into the Single Social Benefit (PSU) will not be penalised, says the Government, which admits a reduction in support for 6% of future beneficiaries.

Single Social Benefit: union accuses the Prime Minister of lying

The Union of Health, Solidarity and Social Security Workers claims that there are benefits subject to significant cuts, a situation it considers “absolutely unacceptable”

PS admits taking the Single Social Benefit to Parliament

The Socialist Party (PS) admits requesting a parliamentary review of the decree-law that creates the Single Social Benefit, according to Público (paid access). The socialists sent a letter to the Government expressing reservations regarding the base value of 268.60 euros and the new calculation rules, which they fear could reduce the support received by some beneficiaries.

Single Social Benefit starts in January at €268.60. Government admits some beneficiaries may lose out

The government admits that in some specific cases the value may decrease, but guarantees that, overall, citizens will receive more. “We cannot give in to the temptation of comparing point by point” in a change that represents a paradigm shift, argues Minister Rosário da Palma Ramalho.

Base value of the Single Social Benefit set at 268.6 euros

The government finally reveals the value of the PSU: it will correspond to 50% of the social support index, with a 30% increase planned for unemployment and parenthood.

Minister of Labour says Single Social Benefit will have a reference value of 268 euros

The new benefit is intended to simplify and unify the current non-contributory regime, replacing 13 social benefits with a single form of support.

Access conditions for the Single Social Benefit to be more comprehensive

The preparation of the new proposal for the Single Social Benefit is entering its final stages, and the Government has introduced changes that primarily meet the demands of the socialists.

Seguro promulgates the creation of the Single Social Benefit

With the agreement of the PS and without Chega, the Government now has 120 days to implement the PSU, created under pressure of losing 600 million from the RRP.

Of the total RSI beneficiaries, are 33% children and young people 'up to 18 years old'? True

The figure mentioned by Paulo Raimundo in an interview with Antena 1 is true. According to recent data from Social Security, those under 18 account for approximately 32.75% of the total number of RSI beneficiaries.

Social work at PSU subject to integration plan

Creation of the PSU approved with abstention from the socialists. Refusing solidarity activities may lead to the loss of support.

PSU approved with abstentions from PS and IL. Only PSD and CDS voted in favour

The proposal was passed thanks to the abstention of the PS. The PSU will be a non-contributory Social Security benefit aimed at individuals and families in poverty or economic hardship.

Single Social Benefit. PS guarantees oversight and warns that the amount was not part of the agreement with PSD: "There was no conversation"

With the agreement between PSD and PS for the creation of the Single Social Benefit (PSU) secured before the final global vote on the proposal in parliament, the socialists welcome the understanding, but ensure they will be attentive to the reference value to be included in the decree-law that will be approved by the deputies.

Single Social Benefit: who will be eligible, how much they could receive and what changes

Parliament approves the new Single Social Benefit this Thursday, which combines 13 social support measures into one. See what changes and who could benefit.

Carneiro says agreement on PSU protects the “most vulnerable” and rejects partisan calculations

The Secretary-General of the PS, José Luís Carneiro, argued this Wednesday that the viability of the Single Social Benefit had the “most vulnerable” as its priority, rejecting partisan calculations or interpretations regarding future understandings for the next State Budget. “For us, from the very first moment, our priority was to address the concerns of the most vulnerable, the ...

7 PM. PSD denies that social work is optional in the PSU

Hugo Soares says it is a matter of rhetoric. Meanwhile, the PS refuses to engage in semantic wars. Additionally, the Ministry of Internal Administration guarantees that there will be no long queues at airports during the summer.

PS and PSD reach agreement to create the PSU. PSD says Chega 'chickened out'

The PS parliamentary leader, Eurico Brilhante Dias, confirmed on Wednesday (June 24) that an agreement was reached with the Government to create the single social benefit (PSU), despite needing to revise four core aspects for the Socialists, such as the end of the whistleblowing channel and mandatory work. However, a contradiction emerged regarding the PSD's narrative on the end of mandatory social work. While Brilhante Dias stated it would end, PSD parliamentary leader Hugo Soares insisted that 'solidarity social activity' remains mandatory, noting it will now be part of an 'individual insertion plan' to ensure people 'feel useful'. Brilhante Dias justified the changes by stating the bill should not be negotiated with the far-right and their prejudices, adding that work will no longer be mandatory but part of a personalised plan. The agreement also includes a substantive change to the means-testing condition to ensure access for the most vulnerable, and a mechanism for Parliament to scrutinise the benefit values. Meanwhile, the PSU bill moves to the Labour Committee, and André Ventura claims no understanding has been reached with the Government.

PSU to be voted on in the aftermath of the labour reform rejection

The proposal for the Single Social Benefit, already known by the acronym PSU, is discussed on Wednesday in Parliament and voted on the following day.