Around 25,000 children will benefit from Lm107 a year in children’s allowance for the first time, following the implementation of the new measures introduced in Budget 2008, said Family and Social Solidarity Minister Dolores Cristina yesterday.

The new measures also removed the former system whereby the allowance granted to the first-born was six per cent of the difference between the benchmark and the family’s income.

However, Mrs Cristina said that all children will benefit from the same percentage.

“This is a budget that favours children – all of them, including those in foster care, residential care, orphans and children with a disability,” she said.

The minister explained that a user-friendly information leaflet will be distributed to all households that can benefit from the allowance.

The leaflet provides information on the amount of children’s allowance each family will receive according to the number of children and income.

“First time beneficiaries of children’s allowance have to apply again while those who already receive the allowance do not have to apply,” she said. Parents who used to receive children’s allowance in the past but stopped doing because their income exceeded an established limit need to apply again.

Mrs Cristina said that all those who have any queries or doubts can send an email to the ministry’s website, or call SPIC helpline on 159.

The applications for the children’s allowance are available on the website www.mfss.gov.mt – these need to be filled in and sent in as soon as possible, she added.