Extraordinary benefit for forest fires 2026: what companies and workers must do

Key data

If you have employees in areas affected by forest fires and have had to suspend their contracts, the Resolution of July 30, 2026 from the General Directorate of SEPE regulates exactly how to process the extraordinary benefit created by the Royal Decree-Law 20/2026, of July 29. The regulation came into force on the same day it was published, August 1, 2026, and the procedure is largely automated.

What changes compared to an ordinary suspension is that here a specific benefit for extreme emergency is activated, with its own rules on compatibility, calculation and deadlines. Knowing the correct procedure avoids delays in worker payments and possible administrative issues for the company.

What does this regulation establish?

The Resolution develops the administrative procedure to recognize the extraordinary benefit for extreme emergency created by RDL 20/2026. It establishes two differentiated obligations: one for the company and one for the worker.

Additionally, the regulation addresses three special situations worth knowing:

• Multiple simultaneous suspensions: if a worker has more than one contract suspended at the same time, SEPE recognizes a single benefit, but calculates it by adding all contribution bases from the affected contracts.
• Previous contributory benefits: if the worker was already receiving a contributory unemployment benefit before the fire, it remains suspended while the extraordinary benefit lasts. Upon completion, it can be resumed.
• Automated recognition: SEPE processes recognition automatically, which speeds up resolution times.

Economic and operational impact

For companies, the direct impact is mainly administrative: they must act quickly to avoid delaying their workers' access to the benefit. There is no direct economic cost to the company from this benefit, as SEPE is the one who pays it.

For workers, the extraordinary benefit can represent income for up to 4 months linked to their actual contribution bases. If they have multiple contracts suspended simultaneously, the amount is calculated by adding all bases, which can result in a higher benefit than they would receive from a single contract.

The critical point for companies is operational: the telematic certificate with code 17 is the document that activates the entire procedure. If it is not sent correctly or on time, the worker cannot access the benefit even if they meet all requirements.

Who does it affect?

• Companies with workers in municipalities affected by forest fires that have suspended contracts as a result of the emergency.
• Workers with suspended contracts whose residence is in a municipality declared affected by forest fire.
• Workers with multiple simultaneous contracts suspended for the same reason.
• Workers who were already receiving contributory unemployment benefits before the fire and see their situation temporarily modified.
• Labor advisors and management firms that manage the documentary processing for their company clients.

Practical example

A rural hospitality company has 8 employees in a municipality affected by a forest fire. It must suspend the contracts of all of them because the establishment becomes inaccessible during the emergency.

The process it must follow is as follows:

1. Sends to SEPE, telematically, the suspension certificate for each contract indicating code 17.
2. Each worker requests the extraordinary benefit via the official form or through SEPE's electronic office, proving that their residence is in the affected municipality.
3. SEPE processes recognition automatically.
4. If one of the employees also had a second part-time contract with another company also suspended, SEPE recognizes a single benefit calculated by adding both contribution bases.
5. If another employee was receiving a previous contributory unemployment benefit, that benefit remains suspended while they receive the extraordinary benefit. When the emergency period ends (maximum 4 months), they can resume the previous contributory benefit.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify affected contracts: review which workers have their contracts suspended as a direct consequence of a forest fire and whether their residence is in an affected municipality.
2. Send the telematic certificate to SEPE: do so as quickly as possible indicating suspension code 17 for each affected contract. This step is essential for the worker to be able to request the benefit.
3. Inform workers: communicate to them that they must request the benefit via official form or through SEPE's electronic office, and that they must prove their residence in the affected municipality.
4. Manage previous contributory benefits: if any worker was already receiving a contributory benefit, inform them that it will remain suspended during the extraordinary benefit period and can be resumed upon completion.
5. Coordinate with labor advisory: verify that certificates have been sent correctly and that there are no incidents in automated recognition by SEPE.

Official source

View complete regulation in official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-16822