How to apply for unemployment benefit

From 4th March this year, the application for ordinary unemployment benefit can be submitted online, by logging on to the website of INPS.In order to be able to submit the application online, one must first of all apply for a PIN from the website of INPS.Once on the website of INPS, one can click on “richiesta Pin online” (online application for PIN), and type in the required data. It will be immediately possible to view the first part of the PIN (8 characters). The second part, which is indispensable for completing the code for accessing online services on the website of INPS, will be sent by mail to the applicant’s home address. This will only be done after an officer from INPS calla the applicant to verify the authenticity of the application.

INPS has announced that for now, only applications for ordinary unemployment benefit for non agricultural workers who meet the set requirements can be submitted online. The same possibility will be extended to all other categories of workers in the coming weeks.

After requesting for the PIN, one can log on to the website of INPS, go to the section “Servizio al cittadino” (Service to the citizen), then click on “Indennità di disoccupazione” (Unemployment benefit). A window will open with the worker’s personal data. If the information is incomplete, the worker can type in the missing information. It is possible to view the social security contributions made in the last four years. In any case the contributions in the last two years (biennio mobile) are the ones taken into consideration when determining the amount to given as unemployment benefit.For the “biennio mobile”, INPS refers to the last two years from the date of unemployment. In order to qualify for unemployment benefit, one must have made social security contributions for 52 weeks in the last two years.

The system will first verify all the inserted data then calculate the amount to be given as unemployment benefit. In case it is not possible to determine the applicant’s pay for the last trimester, for instance if the data is missing from the database, the application for unemployment benefit will be withheld and forwarded to an officer of INPS to process it manually.The applicant will then be asked to provide necessary information for filling in the application for unemployment benefit.

If the post code (CAP) indicated by the applicant corresponds to several branches of INPS, the applicant can be asked to choose one of the branches. It is obligatory to provide either the applicant’s phone number or an email address.Information about education and the last job and position are required so that upon request, they may be forwarded to the employment centres and other authorized job placement agencies.

Some of the information required include: declaration of the right to family allowance, declaration of the right to tax deductions, declaration that one was fired after the grace period or in any case due to sickness.The money can be either directly deposited into the applicant’s account or sent through money transfer to the post office in one’s area of residence which can be determined from the post office code indicated in the application form.

At the end of the application, the worker must declare his availability to do any type of job and sign allowing INPS to handle his personal data.At this stage the application is complete, and one can preview it and possibly change some information if necessary.

Having submitted the application, one can print a copy of it. INPS will issue a receipt showing they have received the application.

Security Package: How it affects family reunification and cohesion

Law Number 94 of 2009, the so-called Security Package introduced several changes to immigration rules. Some of them affect the requirements and family members one can apply for family reunification and family cohesion with. Here are some of the changes.

Amendment to Article 116 of the Civil Code

In order to discourage marriages of convenience between foreigners and Italians, the new law has banned irregular immigrants from marrying in ItalIy,in the past, some foreigners in the country illegally used to pay money to Italian citizens in order to marry so as to regularize their status in the country.

Following the amendment to the Article 116, in order to contract a recognised civil marriage in Italy, a foreigner must be in the country legally. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the foreigner must have the Permit of Stay. What matters is that the foreigner must have entered the country legally and still be present in the country legally.The following are considered to be in the country legally and can therefore marry: foreigners who are in Italy for tourism reasons or for any other short visit which doesn’t require them to be issued the Permit of Stay (with entry visa); those who entered Italy from other Schengen States and made a declaration of presence; those whose Permits of Stay have expired and have applied for renewal; and holders of residence permits issued by other EU States).

Changes to family cohesion rules

The only difference between family reunification and family cohesion is that family reunification is meant for family members living abroad while family cohesion is meant for family members already living in Italy.The Security Package also changed the rules governing applications for family cohesion.Previously, an irregular non-EU immigrant who was a family member of and was living with an Italian citizen could not be expelled from Italy. This was applicable to up to fourth grade non-EU foreigners who were family members of Italian citizens (it included distant cousins). This rule has been changed and it is only applicable to up to second grade non-EU foreigners who are family members of Italian citizens. This means that only these people can now apply for family cohesion with their Italian family members.

Changes to family reunification rules

The law governing family reunification has been amended so many times in the past years (Legislative Decree. Number 5 of 2007, Legislative Decree Number 160, 2008, and finally the Law Number 94 of 2009). The changes affect relatives with whom one can apply for family reunification and the procedures. 

Currently, one can apply for family reunification with:
a) spouse if not legally separated and aged not less than 18 years
b) minor children, even those of the spouse or born out of marriage, on condition that the other parent (if alive) gives his/her consent,
c) adult dependent children, who cannot take care of themselves due to health problems which lead to total invalidity
d) dependent parents if they don't have other children in the country of origin, or parents aged over 65 years if their other children in the country of origin cannot take care of them due to documented health reasons

Apart from the spouse, in all other cases, family relationship can also be proved through a DNA test.
As a way of discouraging cases of polygamy and bigamy, the Security Package expressly prohibits application for family reunification with a dependent spouse if the applicant is already married to someone else in Italy.Polygamy and bigamy are criminal offences in Italy punishable with up to five years in prison.Anyone applying for family reunification must prove to have suitable accommodation that meets hygienic standards. This can be done by presenting the certificate of suitable accommodation issued by the City Council.In case of application for family reunification with a minor child under the age of 14, it is sufficient to present a letter of hospitality from the owner of the apartment where the child will stay.

Previously the nulla osta (authorization) for family reunification was issued within 90 days but now that has been doubled to 180 days.