Lescaping towards the safety of themselves and their children is one of the most delicate moments to manage for victims of family violence. Often women, if they manage to do so, are forced to run away at any moment, forced to abandon all their belongings without a euro in their pockets. This is why the Freedom income, support for women victims of violence in poverty who decide to get their lives back. It provides for a state contribution of 400 euros per month. And it is a fundamental measure in the process of autonomisation. Born in 2021, the Freedom Income was renewed for 2024. Not only that: the Budget Law made it structural thanks to the allocation of 10 million euros more per year for the three-year period 2024-2026, and 6 million for 2027.
Freedom income, renewed until 2027
From this year, however, there is also more good news. In fact, it is also added to the Freedom Income contribution exemption on hiring. The employers who hire the beneficiaries of the support, in fact, will not have to pay the employee’s social security contributions, who is in turn exempted. A notable advantage for companies given that the exemption, with the exclusion of premiums and contributions to INAIL, is established to the extent of 100%, even if within a limit of 8,000 euros per year. There is less good news, however: in fact, if i requirements to get the support and the amounts have been indicated by INPS, the methods for the request. SI assume that the circular will arrive soon.
Who is it for?
As anticipated, recipients of the Freedom Income are women victims of violence, both with and without children, followed by anti-violence centres recognized by the Regions and social services for escape routes from violence. Italian women, EU women and non-EU women in possession of a regular residence permit can access it. Likewise, foreign women with the status of political refugees or subsidiary protection status are entitled to it.
Protests in Milan against violence against women (Photo by Alessandro Bremec/NurPhoto)
How much is the contribution?
The economic contribution is equal to a maximum of 400 eurosgranted in a single payment for a maximum of 12 monthly payments, an amount that is expected to increase in 2024. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, with no particular priority provided. The only constraint is the exhaustion of the allocated funds. In detail, the contribution is used to support the expenses necessary to insure housing independence, regaining personal autonomy and taking care of the schooling and training of minor children.
The support is also compatible with other income support measures, such as new inclusion allowance or even with theunemployment benefit Naspi or the redundancy fund.
Exemption of social security contributions
As stated, the 2024 Budget law added further protection in favor of women victims of violence already beneficiaries of the Freedom Income. In fact, if they are unemployed, companies can hire them while enjoying 100% exemption from social security contributions. This can happen, however, in some specific cases of employment relationships:
- when the contract is for an indefinite period, and then the exemption is valid for 24 months.
- if the contract is for a fixed termwith the exemption for the duration of the employment relationship but in any case within 12 months.
- for them permanent transformations of a previous fixed-term relationship, for a duration of 18 months starting from the date of hiring on a fixed-term contract.
- the incentive also applies in the case of working hours part timeas well as for hiring in a cooperative or with a supply contract.
The essential requirement to benefit from the relief is that, at the time of hiring, the woman is unemployed beneficiary of the Freedom Income. For all hires made in 2024, however, employers who offer an opportunity to a woman who has completed the period foreseen for the Freedom Income received in 2023 also benefit.
iO Donna © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED