Inclusion Allowance: Duration and Renewal Process Explained

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Understanding the Inclusion Allowance Duration

As the first year of the Inclusion Allowance comes to a close, which replaced the Citizenship Income in January, many beneficiaries still face confusion regarding its fundamental aspects, particularly concerning the duration of the benefit.

Beneficiaries are keen to know how long the Inclusion Allowance lasts, when it expires, and when payments will cease.
It’s essential to note that the allowance is contingent on maintaining specific eligibility requirements throughout the entire period.
Additionally, there are penalties that may lead to early termination of benefits.

For the Inclusion Allowance, there is a definitive period after which beneficiaries lose their entitlement, although renewal options are available.
This mirrors the structure of the Citizenship Income but has a different duration policy.
Previously, benefits expired after 18 months, with a one-month suspension before renewal, which could be repeated indefinitely.

The Duration of the Inclusion Allowance

Similar to the Citizenship Income, the Inclusion Allowance is granted for a total of 18 months.
After this period, payment stops.
For example, if the first payments were made in January 2024 for some households, the first expiration date will be in June 2025.
Families will need to renew their ISEE (Equivalent Economic Situation Indicator) by the end of January 2025 to avoid any suspension.

Renewal is indeed possible; beneficiaries simply need to submit a new application with a valid ISEE.
However, the duration will decrease to 12 months upon renewal.

Renewal Application Process

Renewals require a mandatory “pause” period of one month.
Consequently, there will always be at least one month unpaid between two benefit periods.
A new application must be filed in the month following the last payment from INPS.

For instance, if a family receives their final Inclusion Allowance in June 2025, they can apply for renewal in July, with payments resuming in August 2025.
They will not receive any payment in July.

How Many Times Can One Renew the Inclusion Allowance?

There has been some ambiguity online regarding how often the Inclusion Allowance can be renewed.
Some individuals mistakenly believe it can only be renewed once.

However, INPS has clarified this in Circular No.
105 of 2023, stating that, “The economic benefit of the Inclusion Allowance can be renewed after a one-month suspension for additional periods of twelve months.”

This interpretation confirms that the Inclusion Allowance can be renewed multiple times, though subsequent periods of benefit will always last 12 months.
Each year, the INPS effectively saves one month’s payment due to the required suspension between periods.

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