UPDATE: Who can claim Italy's €200 cost of living bonus?
The Italian government will soon start making the first of its €200 payments intended to offset the rising cost of living. But who will be eligible, and what do you need to do to claim? Here's the latest official information.
Italian authorities have confirmed the one-off 'bonus' payment of €200 will be made to some 30 million people in June and July.
The payments were announced in May alongside other government measures aimed at offsetting the soaring cost of living, such as extending energy bill discounts and rolling on the deadline to claim Italy's popular 'superbonus 110'.
Employees, as well as the self-employed, pensioners and the unemployed, will be eligible to receive the €200 payment if they have an annual income of under €35,000 gross, according to a decree law passed in May.
But since the initial announcement there has been widespread confusion about how people can access the bonus.
Things became clearer for some this week after Italy’s social security and pensions agency (INPS or the Istituto nazionale della previdenza sociale) released guidelines on claiming the bonus - so far, for those in employment, pensioners and certain types of part-time workers.
READ ALSO: The rules and deadlines for filing Italian taxes in 2022
The bonus will also be available to the self-employed, seasonal and domestic workers, the unemployed, and those receiving Italy's 'citizen's income' benefit.
Still to be defined, however, is how people in these categories will be able to claim. More information is expected to be published in a separate government decree.
Based on the current INPS guidance, here's what we know so far:
How do you claim?
If you're a state employee or a pensioner, the payment will be made automatically - those entitled to the bonus will be identified by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and INPS.
If you work in the private sector, the €200 should be included in your July pay packet (or June as the case may be: see below) and the paperwork will be handled by the employer.
All other categories, including the self-employed and professionals registered with INPS, still have no instructions on how to apply for the bonus. A decree or other further guidance is expected to be published in the coming weeks.
Certain part-time workers or those with particular employment relationships, such as jobs that entail working in June but not July, will receive the funds early to account for not receiving a pay check in July.
INPS also stipulated that for the bonus to be paid, the employment relationship must exist in July 2022. It's not yet clear what that means for employees on contracts that cease to exist from July 1st.
The Local will continue to provide updates on this when details are released.
Comments
See Also
Italian authorities have confirmed the one-off 'bonus' payment of €200 will be made to some 30 million people in June and July.
The payments were announced in May alongside other government measures aimed at offsetting the soaring cost of living, such as extending energy bill discounts and rolling on the deadline to claim Italy's popular 'superbonus 110'.
Employees, as well as the self-employed, pensioners and the unemployed, will be eligible to receive the €200 payment if they have an annual income of under €35,000 gross, according to a decree law passed in May.
But since the initial announcement there has been widespread confusion about how people can access the bonus.
Things became clearer for some this week after Italy’s social security and pensions agency (INPS or the Istituto nazionale della previdenza sociale) released guidelines on claiming the bonus - so far, for those in employment, pensioners and certain types of part-time workers.
READ ALSO: The rules and deadlines for filing Italian taxes in 2022
The bonus will also be available to the self-employed, seasonal and domestic workers, the unemployed, and those receiving Italy's 'citizen's income' benefit.
Still to be defined, however, is how people in these categories will be able to claim. More information is expected to be published in a separate government decree.
Based on the current INPS guidance, here's what we know so far:
How do you claim?
If you're a state employee or a pensioner, the payment will be made automatically - those entitled to the bonus will be identified by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and INPS.
If you work in the private sector, the €200 should be included in your July pay packet (or June as the case may be: see below) and the paperwork will be handled by the employer.
All other categories, including the self-employed and professionals registered with INPS, still have no instructions on how to apply for the bonus. A decree or other further guidance is expected to be published in the coming weeks.
Certain part-time workers or those with particular employment relationships, such as jobs that entail working in June but not July, will receive the funds early to account for not receiving a pay check in July.
INPS also stipulated that for the bonus to be paid, the employment relationship must exist in July 2022. It's not yet clear what that means for employees on contracts that cease to exist from July 1st.
The Local will continue to provide updates on this when details are released.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.