Easter is about to arrive and, with it, the preferred time for many to go on vacation for a few days. But what happens if we are collecting unemployment benefits? Can we spend a few days abroad on vacation?
The Easter It is one of the periods of the year with the highest number of trips, both national and international. But what happens if we are collecting unemployment benefits and have a trip planned during Easter? This is one of the most frequent doubts that we can find, since one of the requirements for collect a benefit unemployment means finding ourselves actively searching for employment. So we can’t travel? The SEPE affirms that yes, although, yes, with certain limitations that we must accept in order to avoid losing the benefit. We tell you.
15 calendar days
The SEPE has a dedicated page to answer everything that has to do with vacations while we are unemployed, accessible at this link. In it, he places special emphasis on the fact that while we collect benefits We must fulfill the obligation to actively search for new employment. As well as “participate in actions that increase your chances of working” and, if necessary, go to the managing entity when we are required to do so. Therefore, initially, we cannot enjoy any vacation period until we find a new job.
However, it does point out that the SEPE allows the “possibility of going abroad” while we find ourselves collecting a unemployment benefit, provided that the time period is not “greater than fifteen calendar days” and, furthermore, it must not imply non-compliance with any of the obligations that we contract in exchange for collecting the benefit. That is, we must continue looking for work and, in addition, facilitate the celebration of the possible interviews that may arise for us.
However, there is an important limitation in this regard that has to do with the maximum period that we can stay abroad. In this case, the Public Employment Service states that we can only “Go abroad for a period of no more than fifteen calendar days only once each year.”. Therefore, we could not accumulate several periods of the same length several times a year.
A longer period
In the event that we are going to stay in a period between 15 and 90 days, Regardless of whether it is continued or not, benefits would be completely suspended. In this chaos, we should inform the SEPE before said departure, in order to receive the pertinent authorization. Once we return to our country, we could request the relevant reinstatement.
If the period exceeds 90 days and is not due to job search, training or international cooperation issues, the benefit would be completely extinguished. However, if you have any questions in this regard, it is always advisable to go to our SEPE office closest to explain each specific situation and assess the consequences related to the possible suspension or termination of the benefit in question.
