The importance of social security and who benefits from it
The social allowance: importance and who benefits from it, an essential support.
The Social Allowance is not a pension, but a social assistance benefit provided by INPS. It is aimed at Italian and foreign citizens who have completed i 67 years of age and who reside permanently in Italy. Its most notable feature is that it can be requested even in the absence of contributions paid during working life, or if the accumulated contributions are insufficient to generate a minimum income. This makes it a beacon of hope for those who, for various reasons, have not had the opportunity to build a continuous working career covered by contributions. The amount, which by 2025 is expected to exceed 530 euros per monthaims to combat poverty and social exclusion among the most vulnerable elderly population.
It is essential to underline that the right to Social Allowance is not automatic but is linked to specific conditions income requirements. The benefit is paid for 13 months and can be integrated or reduced depending on the overall economic situation of the applicant and, if present, of the spouse. This system aims to ensure that support actually reaches those who need it most, acting as an essential integration for thousands of Italian families.
Basic requirements and how to apply
The basic requirements and instructions on how to submit the application.
To access the Social Allowance, you must meet a series of precise requirements. First of all, it is essential to have accomplished 67 years old. The stable and continuous residence in Italy it is another crucial criterion: for foreign citizens, residence in the national territory for at least ten years continuously is required. In addition to age and residence, economic conditions are decisive. Income limits for 2025 will be updated, but are generally based on the applicant’s annual personal income and, if married, the couple’s cumulative income.
To give an example, if personal income exceeds a certain threshold (around 6,900 euros per year for 2024, updates expected for 2025), the allowance is reduced until it reaches zero. For married people, the cumulative income threshold is approximately double. The application for Social Allowance must be submitted to INPS in telematic mode. This can be done independently via the INPS web portal, using SPID, CIE or CNS, or by making use of the free support of a Patronage. Alternatively, you can contact the INPS Integrated Contact Center. It is advisable to collect all the necessary documentation, including income data, before proceeding with sending to facilitate the procedure and speed up the delivery times of this precious support.
