The Superior Court of Justice of Castilla-La Mancha confirms that a man who received the subsidy for those over 52 since 2017 must repay €11,617 to SEPE for exceeding the legal income limit of 75% of the minimum wage.
A beneficiary of the subsidy for those over 52 has received a judicial setback requiring him to repay €11,617 to SEPE. The ruling from the Superior Court of Justice of Castilla-La Mancha, dated December 23, 2025, confirms that the man improperly received the aid for years by exceeding the legal income limit.
The origin of the conflict: income above the threshold
The claimant began receiving the subsidy in November 2017, when SEPE recognised a monthly benefit of €430. However, a subsequent review of the file revealed that his personal income already exceeded the cap of 75% of the minimum interprofessional wage at the time of application and throughout the payment period.
In November 2021, SEPE suspended payments upon detecting that the beneficiary's income exceeded the limit. The affected individual appealed, but a court in Guadalajara ruled in favour of the agency in May 2022. Upon further analysis, the administration discovered that the non-compliance dated back to 2017: his tax returns showed monthly earnings between €888 and €1,347, while the limit for those years ranged from €530 to €675.
SEPE then initiated a procedure to reclaim the undue amounts from October 2018, the maximum period allowed by law. The total sum amounted to €11,617.29, an amount the beneficiary was required to repay.
The affected individual's defence and the court's response
The man brought the case to the Social Court number 2 of Guadalajara, which ruled in favour of SEPE in May 2024. He then appealed to the Superior Court of Justice of Castilla-La Mancha, arguing that he had not been given a prior hearing and that his actual income did not exceed the limit.
The ruling STSJ CLM 3199/2025 dismantles both arguments. The judges note that the administration did not use the procedure for automatic repayment but instead went to court through a lawsuit, which ensured that the defendant was summoned and aware of the amounts claimed. Regarding the income, the court emphasises that the lower court's ruling already established that it exceeded 75% of the minimum wage, and the appeal did not succeed in disproving those facts.
The ruling fully confirms the obligation to repay €11,617. The case illustrates how aid granted without rigorous examination can become an economic trap for those who receive it in good faith but do not meet the requirements.
What this ruling means for beneficiaries of the subsidy
This judicial resolution underscores the importance of strictly adhering to the requirements of the subsidy for those over 52. The main requirement is not to exceed 75% of the minimum interprofessional wage on a monthly basis, including the income of the spouse or partner. In 2025, this limit equates to about €810 per month.
SEPE can review files at any time and reclaim undue amounts from the last four years. Beneficiaries must keep all documentation that proves their income and report any changes. In case of doubt, it is advisable to consult a labour advisor or a specialised lawyer.
The ruling also warns that the administration is not obliged to notify before claiming in court, although in this case, the defendant was summoned. The ruling is final and there is no ordinary appeal, so the affected individual must face the debt or negotiate a payment plan with SEPE.
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