The Government approves a 70% benefit for workers affected by fires in the Community of Madrid

The Council of Ministers has approved an extraordinary benefit for workers unable to work due to wildfires. The aid, at 70% of the regulatory base, can be claimed for up to four months.

Workers in the Community of Madrid who have had their employment interrupted due to the wildfires this summer will be able to access an extraordinary benefit approved this Tuesday by the Council of Ministers. The aid, managed by the State Public Employment Service (SEPE), will cover 70% of the regulatory base for a maximum of four months.

The royal decree law, which will be published in the Official State Bulletin (BOE), establishes urgent measures for labour and social protection for those affected by the fires recorded in the Community of Madrid, Ávila, Toledo, and Castellón. The regulation will also apply to any other fire that requires Civil Protection actions during the high-risk campaign of 2026.

Workers who cannot return to their homes due to evacuations or access restrictions, as well as those who have to carry out cleaning, relocation, or reconstruction tasks at their homes, complete in-person administrative procedures related to the emergency, or care for family members affected by the fires, will be able to apply for this benefit.

The aid is contributory in nature but does not require a minimum contribution period to be met. Furthermore, receiving this extraordinary benefit will not consume the contributions accumulated by the worker, which will be preserved for the recognition of future unemployment benefits.

The decree also extends the bereavement leave for employees and cooperative members when the death is related to the fires. In these cases, the leave will be extended for five working days following the funeral.

Additionally, the regulation states that any employer retaliation against workers exercising these rights will be considered null, aiming to ensure the labour protection of those affected by the emergency.

The measures will come into effect following the publication of the royal decree law in the BOE, although they will have retroactive effects from July 23. The protection will continue to apply as long as the circumstances arising from the emergency persist, even after the fires have been extinguished.

For residents of the Community of Madrid, this benefit represents financial relief at a critical time, especially for those whose homes or jobs have been directly affected by the fire. Interested parties can apply for the aid through SEPE offices or the electronic headquarters, once the decree is published in the BOE.