SEPE official sanctioned for attending without appointment: this is how it affects immigrants

Well, listen up: a SEPE official is facing disciplinary action for seeing clients without an appointment. The potential penalty: six months’ suspension with pay. The case has exposed a reality that many immigrants know all too well: if you can’t get an appointment, you won’t receive any assistance.

SEPE handles benefits such as unemployment insurance, the subsidy for those over 52, and the active integration income. For immigrants, it’s often the gateway to social assistance during their darkest hours. But the appointment-based system complicates everything when there’s an emergency: if there’s no opening, the process drags on for weeks or months.

Juan Carlos—the civil servant facing disciplinary action—asserts that he only assisted people without appointments during his free time, and always after those who did have appointments. According to his account, he encountered borderline cases: people who would lose temporary assistance if their case wasn’t resolved that day, or foreigners who were excluded from the online appointment system. “I couldn’t look the other way,” he stated. The SEPE, however, believes that bypassing protocol justifies the disciplinary action.

SEPE employees have been complaining for years about a lack of resources and the pressure to provide services. For the public, the situation is exasperating. If you’re an immigrant and need a certificate or to apply for benefits, getting an appointment can take weeks. And if you show up without one, whether you’re helped or not depends on the civil servant’s mood. This case shows that even those who want to help can end up being punished.

What if you can’t get an appointment? Well, first, try the online route: the SEPE website has a self-booking system. If it’s urgent, you can go to an office, but they can’t guarantee anything. Another option is to ask for help from immigrant associations or your local government’s social services. And if you see that the delay is dragging on, file a formal complaint. Take action.

If you’re having trouble with your appointment or paperwork, message us on Telegram: https://t.me/cita_extranjeria