The Parents Benefit scheme has been extended to include parents with disabled children over the ages of 16 years old, Minister for Social Justice and Solidarity, the Family and Children’s Rights Michael Falzon announced on Thursday morning.
The scheme, which was re-introduced on 16th March 2021, initially catered to families which include children under the age of 16 years and where both parents work in the private sector, on the condition that one of the said parents must remain at home to look after the child.
The benefit can now be paid to parents who have no choice but to stay home with the closure of centres and services catering to disabled children over the ages of 16.
The benefit will cover the parents’ social security and ensure that there are no financial gaps left in their pension.
Since the re-introduction of the scheme, 934 claims for the scheme have been received. Of these 934, 418 claims have been assessed and 70 claims have been rejected for “diverse reasons”. 270 claims have been approved and paid for.
The total expenditure to date is €105,124.
To date, 79.4% of claims have been positive, meaning that on average, 4 out of 5 claims are accepted.
The scheme will cover those who work full-time as well as those who work part-time. Full-time workers will be eligible for a benefit of €166.15 per week, which is €800 gross per month; whereas part-time workers will be eligible for a benefit of €103.85 per week, which is €500 gross per month.
Parents are eligible for the full benefit if they have taken leave from work; are unable to telework; and are not receiving a wage supplement.
In the case of a parent having to temporarily stop from receiving his full wage, that particular circumstance will be analysed in order to see whether the parent’s children’s allowance rate should increase.
The payment of benefits will be through direct debit and applications are available online.
With the benefit, Falzon said that he hopes parents are given “economic help, as well as peace of mind” and will help families to resume “a stable economic rhythm” after the pandemic dies down.
He said that he has been working closely with Minister for Inclusion and Social Wellbeing Julia Farrugia Portelli to ensure that disabled persons are catered to and the “wellbeing, finances and future” of this group are protected by the government.
Falzon concluded by saying that the government is working hard to ensure that Maltese and Gozitan citizens and businesses are being economically supported through the pandemic. He alluded to Minister for Finance and Employment Clyde Caruana’s announcement yesterday that wage supplements and moratoriums will be extended to show that “this is not only a government of the people, but a government for the people”.