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Italy expands welfare benefits and heat‑wave protections for 2026
The Istituto Nazionale della Previdenza Sociale (INPS) issued circular 20 July 2026 (msg 2418) that strengthens Cassa Integrazione for extreme heat. From 1 July to 31 December 2026, workers in construction, stone‑cutting and excavation can access the ordinary Cassa Integrazione (CIGO) without those periods counting toward the usual 52‑week limit. Agricultural workers can receive Cassa Integrazione Speciale (CISOA) for seasonal weather events, also exempt from the 90‑day annual ceiling.
A separate INPS circular (msg 81, 24 July 2026) removes the two‑year residency requirement for the universal family benefit, Assegno Unico. The reform allows the allowance for children who are fiscally dependent but reside in another EU Member State and enables non‑resident workers who pay Italian social‑security contributions to claim the benefit. The primary payer is the state where the parent works; if Italy is secondary, the INPS pays only the difference between the Italian entitlement and any foreign payment.
The daily reference income for agricultural maternity and paternity benefits was raised to €66.86 for 2026. From 1 August 2026, recipients of the Assegno di Inclusione can submit renewal applications, receiving an initial 50 % of the full amount.
The regional trade union UIL Calabria and its pensioners’ branch presented a “Piano Caldo Anziani‑Pensionati” to the Regione Calabria, proposing heat‑wave safeguards for elderly residents that would complement the existing worker protection plan.
Entities
Assegno Unico · European Union · INPS · INPS (Italian National Institute of Social Security) · Istituto Nazionale della Previdenza Sociale (INPS) · Italian Government · Italian agricultural workers · Pasqualina Straface · Piacenza municipality · UIL Calabria
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] INPS directive (20 July 2026 n. 2418) extends extraordinary Cassa Integrazione for extreme heat from 1 July to 31 December 2026, covering construction, stone‑cutting and excavation sectors and exempt‑ montonein.it
- [● 2 SOURCES] UIL Calabria and UIL Pensionati presented a “Piano Caldo Anziani‑Pensionati” to Regione Calabria proposing heat‑wave safeguards for elderly residents. ildispaccio.it · www.ilcrotonese.it
- [○ 1 SOURCE] INPS circular 20 July 2026 (msg 2418) extends Cassa Integrazione for extreme heat from 1 July to 31 December 2026. montonein.it
- [● 3 SOURCES] INPS circular 81 24 July 2026 removes the two‑year residency requirement for Assegno Unico and permits children residing in other EU states to be covered. www.dayitalianews.com · www.potenzanews.net · www.reteconomy.it
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The daily reference income for agricultural maternity and paternity benefits in 2026 is set to €66.86. assodigitale.it
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Under the heat measure, CIGO periods for construction, stone‑cutting and excavation are not counted toward the 52‑week limit. montonein.it
- [○ 1 SOURCE] From 1 August 2026, beneficiaries of the Assegno di Inclusione may submit renewal applications, receiving an initial payment equal to 50 % of the full amount. www.businesspeople.it
- [○ 1 SOURCE] CISOA for agricultural workers is exempt from the 90‑day annual ceiling until 31 December 2026. montonein.it
- [● 2 SOURCES] For Assegno Unico, the primary paying state is where the parent works; if Italy is secondary, INPS pays only the difference between the Italian entitlement and any foreign payment. www.potenzanews.net · www.reteconomy.it