Financial hardship support

A household is considered to be in a situation of financial hardship when its average monthly income, divided by the number of persons, is less than EUR 653.64.

Here you will find information about help offered and benefits for people and families in a situation of financial hardship, such as the income support supplement, exemption from paying SNS charges and legal protection.

The information in this section is organised as follows:

• Income support supplement
• Exemption from paying SNS charges
• Legal protection

The income support supplement (RSI) is a benefit for people and families in a situation of financial hardship and who need help to better integrate socially and professionally.

To be entitled to the income support supplement, the person or family must meet the following conditions:

• if living alone, the sum of the person’s monthly income cannot be equal to or more than the maximum amount of the RSI (EUR 189.66)
• if living with family, the sum of the monthly income of all household members cannot be equal to or more than the maximum amount of the RSI, calculated according to the composition of the household*.
• In order to be awarded the RSI, an integration contract containing a series of obligations and rights relating to the social and professional integration of the individual must be signed. This contract gives rise to a cash benefit that is granted to meet the beneficiary’s basic needs.

Find out more about how to claim the income support supplement.

* The maximum amount of the RSI corresponds to the sum of the following amounts, for each household member: for the main beneficiary – EUR 189.66 (100%) of the RSI amount; for each adult – EUR 132.76 (70%) of the RSI amount; for each minor – EUR 94.83 (50%) of the RSI amount.

Low-income earners can apply for an exemption from having to pay charges for using the Portuguese national health service (SNS).

To be entitled to such an exemption, you must be part of a household in a situation of financial hardship.

Find out more abouthow to apply for an exemption from paying SNS charges due to financial hardship.

Legal protection is a right afforded to persons and non-profit entities who are unable to pay the costs associated with judicial (court) proceedings, for cases of dismissal from work, divorce, eviction, seizure, etc., or extrajudicial (out-of-court) proceedings, for cases of divorce by mutual consent.

Legal protection includes legal advice, where a lawyer provides a technical clarification of the person’s rights, and legal assistance such as appointing a lawyer, payment of the lawyer’s fees and exemptions from court fees (or the possibility of paying in instalments).

Find out more about how to claim legal protection.