The Social Security Department, in a press statement, said it had to re-print the supplementary allowance applications following human and technical errors.

The department reacted to a press statement issued by Malta Labour Party spokeswoman Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca who criticised it for making a mistake that made vulnerable people apply twice for a grant.

These typographic errors, said the department, might have confused applicants especially those who apply online.

As soon as the department realised that there had been a mistake, it informed those who had already sent their applications that it was valid and that there was no need to send another application.