Request the social unemployment benefit

Social unemployment benefit is a cash benefit that can be granted to any person who:

Service channels

  • Get in place.
    Within 90 days from the date of unemployment.

    Free

    In Employment Centers.

    Search for a point of service near you:

Who can request the social unemployment benefit?

When can you request the social unemployment benefit?

You must submit your documents to Social Security within 90 days of the date on which you became unemployed.

If you submit them after the 90‑day deadline, the period during which the benefit is paid will be reduced by the period of the delay.

What are the documents and requirements to request the social unemployment benefit?

In order to apply for social unemployment benefit, you must meet the following requirements:

  • reside in Portugal;
  • be involuntarily unemployed;
  • be able and available to work;
  • be registered as a jobseeker with the job centre in your area of residence;
  • satisfy the minimum qualifying period:
  • 180 days of paid employment in the 12 months immediately preceding the date of unemployment; or
  • 120 days of paid employment in the 12 months immediately preceding the date of unemployment, in the event of:
    • involuntary unemployment as a result of the expiry of a fixed-term employment contract; or
    • termination of the employment contract by the employer during the probationary period.

Note on probationary periods: Social employment benefit is granted only in situations where the employment contract expires during the probationary period, with a minimum qualifying period of 120 days, once every 2 years from date on which the social unemployment benefit ends.

You must submit the following documents:

  • form RP5044-DGSS declaring the unemployment situation, which can be submitted:
    • on paper, by the person themselves at the job centre; or
    • through Social Security Direct by the employer, with the prior consent of the applicant (the employer must provide the applicant with the relevant proof of submission);
  • form MG8-DGSS declaring household composition and income;
  • tax documents, copies of payslips received or other evidence of household income, as required by Social Security;
  • if the employer terminates the employment contract for just cause:
    • proof of legal action taken by the employee against the employer;
  • if the employee terminates the employment contract for just cause:
    • proof of legal action taken against the employer, if the applicant invokes a just cause for termination and the employer has invoked another reason, in form RP5044-DGSS, describing the unemployment as voluntary;
  • if the employee suspends the contract due to late payment of wages:
    • form GD18-DGSS declaring late payment;
    • proof of communication to the employer and to the Working Conditions Authority (in this case, the unemployment declaration (form RP5044-DGSS) need not be submitted);
  • if you are a migrant worker from the European Union, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein or Switzerland and you are residing in, and claiming the benefit from, Portugal:
  • form U1 – Periods to be taken into account for the granting of unemployment benefits.

How request the social unemployment benefit?

In person

Before applying for social unemployment benefit, you must register with the job centre closest to where you live. You can register with the job centre online, but the benefit must be applied for in person at that centre.

If, within 90 days from the date of unemployment, you are unable to work because of illness, another person may register on your behalf.

Can social unemployment benefit be combined with other support?

How long does unemployment benefit last?

How much unemployment benefit will I receive?

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