Portugal to consolidate 13 welfare benefits into a single Social Benefit scheme

The Portuguese government announced that the new Prestação Social Única (PSU) will merge 13 existing non‑contributory welfare programmes into one unified benefit. By replacing 13 separate information systems with a single management platform, the administration estimates an annual saving of about €3.2 million, though the overall reform is expected to add €30‑40 million in costs compared with current spending. Ministers highlighted the aim of fostering beneficiary autonomy and a “philosophy of responsibility,” requiring participants to meet conditions such as school attendance, treatment programmes or employment‑related activities.

Domingos Lopes, president of the Institute of Employment and Professional Training (IEFP), told parliament that fewer than 15,000 unemployed registered for compulsory social work, a small fraction of the roughly 265,000 job‑seekers recorded by the agency. He noted that the IEFP was not consulted on the PSU proposal and stressed that the social work component is intended to address short‑term needs while helping people integrate into the labour market.