The Directorate General (Social Security) said that the Labour Party’s claim that the Social Security Department was implementing decisions that went against transparency and accountability “is totally unfounded”.

In a statement issued in reply to one by MLP spokesman Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca regarding the issue of benefit payment statements, the directorate said that the only change that has been made was in respect of the frequency of the issue of notifications regarding four-weekly payments of direct crediting of benefits in bank accounts.

Instead of four-weekly statements, the Directorate is now sending a six-monthly statement indicating details of the four-weekly payments deposited during the previous six months and the dates when the deposit of the benefit will be made by the directorate in the following six months.

Apart from the above, it should be noted that the Directorate also provides for an SMS service through which a beneficiary is informed of every four-weekly payment of benefits directly to the beneficiary’s bank account. Those who wish to avail themselves of this service are required to complete an application form, which is available from any District Office, or request the Directorate to send an application form by post.

The directorate also provides an electronic facility by which a beneficiary can have access through the internet to his/her payment details. Information as to how one can access this facility is available by calling the Social Policy Information Centre (SPIC) of the Family and Social Solidarity Ministry on telephone number 159.

In cases where deductions are being made from benefits to recoup outstanding overpayments, the notification of the date and amount of benefit deposited continues to be issued regularly every four weeks, the directorate said. Furthermore, when there are changes in benefit rates resulting from a change in circumstances, or where there is a change affecting the payment of benefit, the beneficiary will continue to receive official correspondence as usual indicating the changes and the amount of benefit due. This also applies to cases where a benefit has been suspended or stopped.

Contrary to the impression given by Ms Coleiro Preca, said the statement, the change indicated in the notification procedure regarding the direct crediting of benefits will in no way impact negatively on those who wish to seek justice from the Umpire.

In addition, the Directorate said that in the event of difficulty, people may phone the Directorate for any information they require. Information may also be obtained during office hours from Social Security district offices or from the Social Policy Information Centre (SPIC) of the Family and Social Solidarity Ministry on telephone number 159, from Monday to Saturday, between 8am and 8pm.