Families will be receiving between €15 and €35 in a one-time bonus to cover the rising cost of bread and milk, Finance Minister Edward Scicluna said on Thursday.

The measure was announced in the 2020 Budget.

Speaking at a press conference this morning, Scicluna said the bonus will cover the increase in the cost of certain bread and dairy products that might have not been reflected in the September price index, when the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for the following year is calculated.

The COLA for this year is €3.49 per week and the one-time bonus is over and above this amount, Scicluna said, adding that the bonus will be financed by government and not employers.

He explained that the government analysed consumption costs to work out the bonus amount. Families comprising of one person will receive a cheque of €15 while families with more than one person will receive €35.

Elderly people who live on their own will also receive this compensation in addition to the €7 increase in their pension.

“This will cost the government €5.3 million, with 180,078 families benefitting from the measure,” Scicluna explained.

There are 52,380 single-person households and 128,705 households comprising of more than one person.  

The cheques will be sent between 14 and 17 February.

Scicluna added that a customer care number – 153 - will be available, but if cheques are not received by Monday people should wait a couple of days before calling.