The Complementary Solidarity for the Elderly will increase by 50 euros/month in 2023. Find out the conditions of access and the amount of this additional support for retirement for those with less resources.
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THE Solidarity Supplement for the Elderly (CSI) is a benefit, granted by Social Security, to elderly people in a situation of economic fragility. This additional amount is paid monthly, thus increasing these people’s financial resources.
Currently the amount of this supplement is fixed at 438.21 euros, but from April it will increase 50 euros, going to 488, 21 euros. This increase, already considered “historic” by the Minister of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security, will have retroactive effect on 1 January. This means that older people who receive lower old-age pensions will receive in 2023 more 600 euros than in 2022.
Even so, it is important not to forget that certain conditions must be met in order to have access to this benefit. Know what is taken into account and what is necessary to be able to apply.
What is the Solidarity Complement for the Elderly?
It is a cash support paid monthly to elderly people with low resources. To qualify, you must be resident in Portugal. It is also necessary to be equal to or older than the normal retirement age, i.e. 66 years and 4 months in 2023.
Who has the right?
In recent years, the Complementary Solidarity for the Elderly (CSI) has been covering more citizens.
In addition to holders of Old Age Pension, Old Age Pension or Survival Pension, in 2019 approval was given to extend this support to Disability Pension recipients who are not holders of Social Benefit for Inclusion.
Already in 2018, the CSI had been extended to people who had applied for early retirement, starting from January 2014, provided that they met all other requirements.
With the approval on October 1, 2020 of the decree-law that amends the regime regarding the Solidarity Complement for the Elderly, the income of children, who are included in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd scales, no longer count towards the resource status of the elderly.
What are the conditions of access?
To access the Solidarity Complement for the Elderly, the applicant must cumulatively meet the following requirements:
1. Live in Portugal for at least 6 consecutive years at the date of application.
2. Having resources below the CSI limit value
- If you are married or living in a de facto union for more than 2 years:
The couple’s resources cannot exceed 9,202.60 euros per year and those of the person requesting the CSI must be equal to or less than 5,858.63 euros per year.
- If you are not married or living in a de facto union for more than 2 years:
the applicant’s resources must be less than or equal to 5858.63 euros per year.
3. Be holder of one of the following pensions:
- Old-age or survivor pension and age equal to or greater than the normal retirement age;
- Disability Pension from the General Regime, provided they are not holders of the Social Benefit for Inclusion (measure in force since October 1, 2018);
- or be a national citizen and not having access to social pension for having income above the limit value of 192.12 euros (40% of the IAS) if it is for a person or 288.26 euros (60% of the IAS) if it is a couple.
4. Authorize Social Security to access your tax and banking informationas well as that of the spouse or person with whom you live in a de facto relationship.
5. Be available to ask for other Social Security support to which you are entitled. You must also request the payment of alimony that is owed to you. The same applies to the other element of the couple.
What counts for the assessment of the resources of the elderly?
In order to assess the elderly person’s resources, their annual income and that of the person with whom they are married or living in a de facto union for more than two years are considered.
Children’s income can also be taken into account, even if they don’t live with him.
Income of the elderly person and the spouse or de facto partner
For the calculation of the CSI, the following income of the elderly person or the person with whom he is married or in a de facto union counts:
- Income from work for others, self-employed, business or professional;
- Capital income;
- Property income;
- Equity increments;
- Realization value of movable and immovable property;
- Pensions and supplements. If you are receiving the complement for 2nd degree dependence, only the value of the complement for 1st degree dependence is considered;
- Cash support paid by Social Security or another equivalent system
(except funeral and death subsidies and eventual support of the action
Social); - The amount paid by Social Security to help with the cost of the home, family of
reception other other social support of a residential nature for the elderly or spouse/de facto partner; - A percentage of the value of movable and immovable assets (excluding
residence of the elderly); - Money transfers made by other persons or collective entities, public or private.
children’s income
The Solidarity Complement for the Elderly includes a component of family solidarity. That is, it takes into account the economic situation not only of the elderly, but also of the children.
However, the income declared by the children is not always included in the calculation of the elderly person’s resources. It all depends on your income bracket.
So, if the children have income up to the 3rd tier, the family solidarity component is 0%. That is, they do not count towards the calculation.
If the children’s income is included in the 4th scale, the parents lose the right to receive the CSI.
How and how much do you receive?
The amount of this support corresponds to the difference between the applicant’s annual resources and the supplement’s reference value, which in 2023 will be 5,858.63 euros.
Since the support is paid monthly, this means that you can receive, maximum 488.21 euros per monthfor 12 months (5,858.63 euros/12).
For example, if the difference between the reference value of the supplement and your annual income is 2,550 euros, you will receive 212.5 euros per month.
If the applicant is already a Social Security pensioner, he will receive the CSI in the same way he receives the pension and together with it. If not, you will receive the amount by postal order.
How to apply for the Solidarity Supplement for the Elderly?
To apply for the Solidarity Supplement for the Elderly, you must read and complete the following forms:
- CSI 1 – DGSS: Application for the Solidarity Supplement for the Elderly;
- CSI 1/5 – DGSS: Application for the Solidarity Supplement for the Elderly – Continuation sheet;
- CSI 1/2 – DGSS – Annex: Annual household income;
- CSI 1/4 – DGSS: Application for the Solidarity Supplement for the Elderly – Instructions;
- CSI 12 – DGSS: Declaration of availability to exercise the right to food – Solidarity Supplement for the Elderly;
- CSI 13 – DGSS: Third-party payment authorization – Solidarity Supplement for the Elderly.
Documents to present
In addition to these forms, you must submit a photocopy of the following documents of the elderly person and the person with whom he is married or living in a de facto union:
- Valid identification document (Identity Card, Citizen Card, Civil Registry Certificate, Birth Certificate or Passport);
- Tax Identification Document (Taxpayer Card);
- Social Security identification card or Pensioner Card from Social Security or from another national or foreign social protection system.
To these are added the following:
National or European Union citizen
Certificate from the Parish Council that proves that you have resided in Portugal for at least 6 years. It is only necessary if the services cannot do the unofficial check.
Citizen from outside the European Union
Valid residence permit in Portugal or others provided for by law. You can present a statement from the competent authority that proves that you have been residing in Portugal for at least 6 years.
Last job was outside the European Union
Document proving the date on which you started receiving the pension.
There is not Social Security Identification Number (NISS)
RV 1017 – DGSS: Identification of natural persons covered by the citizenship social protection system.
You are available to claim Social Security
RP 5002 – DGSS: Application for social old-age or disability pension.
Own real estate (houses, land, buildings) in addition to the house where you live
Updated Building Booklet or Matrix Content Certificate, issued by Finance, and copy of proof of acquisition of the property.
Have bank accounts, shares, Treasury Certificates, Savings Certificates or other movable assets
Documents proving the value of your assets (issued by Banks or other competent institutions).
If you receive supplements, pensions or subsidies from other entities
Documents proving the value of any supplement, pension or subsidy you receive from an entity other than Social Security.
Where to deliver the documents
All documents must be delivered to the Social Security Assistance Services. The answer usually arrives the following month, if the process is complete.
this support can accumulate with:
- Disability Pension from the General Regime and Social Disability Pension from the Special Disability Protection Regime (provided that holders do not receive Social Benefit for Inclusion);
- General Pension for Old Age;
- Old Age Social Pension;
- Survival Pension;
- Complement per Dependency (with the maximum limit corresponding to the value of the 1st grade).
Citizens who receive the Complementary Solidarity for the Elderly also have right some benefits, including:
Who gets this add-on is required to submit new proof of resources:
- If there is a change in the household;
- When the other member of the couple submits his request to receive the Solidarity Supplement for the Elderly.
Other Duties
still have the to owe in:
- Communicate to Social Security, within 15 working days, any change in residence and composition of the household;
- Present to Social Security, within 15 working days, all the documents requested;
- Communicate to Social Security, within a maximum period of 15 working days, if a member of your household starts to receive any new public support (for example, subsidy or pensions paid by a foreign body or CGA);
- Request other Social Security support to which you are entitled (namely the Old Age Social Pension), within 60 days, counting from the date on which you were informed that you were entitled to such support. This period may go beyond 60 days in some cases;
- Ask to be paid the alimony that is due to you, within a period of 60 days, counting from the date on which you were advised to do so;
- Return the amounts of CSI that were unduly paid to you.
Reasons for suspending the Solidarity Complement for the Elderly
The payment of this monetary support may be suspended whenever:
- The elderly’s resources exceed the established limit;
- Do not communicate to Social Security any change in the composition or income of the household or change of residence abroad;
- Failure to renew the Proof of Resources within the deadline;
- Not to fulfill any other of the aforementioned duties.
Suspension of payment takes effect from the month following the month in which the indicated facts occurred. However, if the situation is resolved, the payment is restarted in the month following the occurrence of the problem.
Reasons for termination of provision
This installment ends when:
- If it is found that the beneficiary has made false statements;
- Two years have passed since the start of a suspension;
- The beneficiary dies. In this case, you will be entitled to the payment for the month of death.
Article originally published in July 2019. Last updated in January 2023.
