26,000 families are to receive an increase of €10 million in in-work benefits, which will be given automatically even if eligible persons do not apply.

During a press conference on Friday, Family Minister Michael Falzon announced the additional increase on the investment of the in-work benefit, which will be that of €10 million.The total investment will be that of €17 million.

These benefits will be given automatically through the tax department, whose system will flag people who are entitled to this benefit even if they have not applied, he said.

This means that couples, single parents, or one working parent who qualify for this benefit do not need to apply for it anymore. Falzon said that government wants to see to it that everyone eligible receives this benefit.

Falzon also said that for the year 2022, there was an extension of the threshold of people eligible for the benefit, as well as an increase in the amount.

Two working parents, or one working parent or a single parent, all of which having children living with them under the age of 23, are eligible for this benefit, Falzon said.

29,000 children will benefit from this incentive. Falzon said that through this, there will be an increase of 18,000 families who will begin qualifying for this benefit.

The threshold for two working parents was extended, with the limit increasing from €35,000 to €50,000. The limit in a couple where one parent is working increased from €26,000 to €35,000, and the limit for a single parent was increased from €23,000 to €35,000.

He said that this measure will incentivize families, in addition also to free childcare. Falzon said that through these measures, those receiving the unemployment benefits have decreased by 91%.

Falzon said that this measure is an innovative concept which shows government’s priority for the quality of life, whilst creating wealth and distributing it.

Falzon said that spending on benefits does not mean wasting or squandering money, but would incentivize more people to enter the working world, and better the quality of life of parents and children.