The Government is implementing an important step to strengthen support for persons with disabilities and their families by introducing a range of new measures that began coming into effect in January 2025 and will continue to roll out throughout the year, the Minister for Inclusion and Volunteering, Julia Farrugia, said.
She spoke during a visit to the Sapport Agency center in Fleur De Lys, alongside Permanent Secretary Anthony Gatt and the CEO of the Sapport Agency, Oliver Scicluna.
During the visit, details were provided about schemes and measures from the 2025 Budget that came into effect this month, with 10 out of 12 measures already implemented, a statement by the ministry read.
These measures include an increase in the tax refund for parents of children with disabilities for specialized therapy expenses, rising from €500 to €750, and the introduction of a new scheme for those who do not pay tax. As part of this commitment, the allowance for families with children suffering from physical or mental disabilities will increase by an additional €5 per week, reaching €35 per week. Moreover, the Carers Grant, which is equivalent to half the net National Minimum Wage, will increase by €193 to reach €5,190 annually.
The Carers Grant will also now be extended to non-working parents of children with disabilities under 16 years old whose condition is deemed very severe and requires continuous and constant parental care. Parents benefiting from this grant will also be provided with Social Security contribution credits to safeguard their future pension rights, the ministry said.
It said that there are substantial increases in assistance for persons with disabilities, "with higher rates of support for both severe disabilities and carers looking after family members. For carers looking after two family members with high dependency levels, the benefit will now increase to 1.5 times the current rate. Additionally, the Government is launching a pilot project to provide evening services for persons with severe disabilities and opening a new day center to address the different needs of elderly individuals with disabilities."
Minister Julia Farrugia said that these measures reflect the Government's commitment to improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities and their families by providing more substantial support and more effective services to address daily challenges.