You are entitled to one of the following pensions, allowances or assistances depending on your age, the severity of your disability and whether you became disabled before or after being employed and paid the National Insurance Contribution (Il-bolla).

Special Children Allowance

If you are a disabled person under the age of sixteen, (fourteen if you have a visual impairment), you may be entitled to a Special Children Allowance if you are a disabled person as defined by the Social Security Act and declared so by the Department’s Medical Board.

Invalidity Pension

If you became disabled and cannot work anymore after being employed and paid 250 National Insurance Contributions (il-bolla) you are entitled to an Invalidity Pension calculated according to the contributions you have made. You have to submit weekly medical certificates for at least six months, except in case of terminal illness. The Department’s Medical Panel, appointed under the provisions of the Social Security Act (Cap 318) decides whether the person applying is incapable for suitable full-time or part-time employment or self-occupation. This Pension is increased automatically every year with the increase of the cost of living.

Increased Severe Disability Allowance

You are entitled to the Increased Severe Disability Allowance if you meet all the following criteria:

1. you are severely disabled as defined by the Social Security Act
2. you are sixteen years or older
3. you are unemployed
4. you do not qualify for an invalidity pension
5. your doctor grades you on Barthel Index to be between 0 and 8
6. a Multi-Disciplinary Board (consisting of a psychiatrist or geriatrician, psychologist, occupational therapist and a social worker) declares you qualify for this allowance.

This assistance is not means tested. It amounts to approximately 80% of the National Minimum Wage which will eventually increase to reach the net National Minimum Wage.

Severe Disability Allowance or Assistance for the Visually Impaired

You are entitled to Severe Disability Allowance or Assistance for the Visually Impaired if you meet all the following criteria:

1. you are severely disabled or visually impaired as defined by the Social Security Act,
2. you are sixteen years or older (fourteen years old or older if you have a visual impairment)
3. you do not qualify for an invalidity pension
4. the Department’s Medical Board declares you qualify for this allowance.

These assistances/allowances are nearly 60% of the National Minimum Wage and are increased annually by means of the cost of living awarded. They are weekly means tested as follows:

1. your income from employment is not considered (meaning that you can be employed and still receive this allowance)
2. all other income (for example, interests) is considered (your capital is not considered but interest derived from your capital is)
3. your personal income is added to the Severe Disability Allowance rate and only the amount exceeding the National Minimum wage is deducted from your rate. (This means that if your personal income and this allowance together do not exceed the minimum wage, you will receive the full allowance).

Disability Assistance

You are entitled to the Disability Assistance if you are sixteen years or older and one of your lower or upper limb is amputated, totally paralysed or totally malfunctions.

This allowance is around 40% of the National Minimum Wage and increases annually with the cost of living increase. It is weekly means tested as follows:

1. your income from employment is not considered (meaning that you can be employed and still receive this allowance);
2. all other income is considered (for example, interests). (Your capital is not considered but interests derived from your capital is considered);
3. your personal income is added to the Severe Disability Allowance rate and only the amount exceeding the National Minimum wage is deducted from your rate. (This means that if your personal income and this allowance together do not exceed the minimum wage, you will receive the full allowance).

Carers Allowance

Your carer can benefit from the Increased Carers Allowance or the Carers Allowance if:

1. he or she is single and under pension age,
2. take care of you on a full-time basis in your residence,
3. is your husband/wife, brother/sister, grandparent, uncle/aunt, mother/father-in-law, brother/sister-in-law.

The Increased Carers Allowance is granted if the Department’s Multi-Disciplinary board assesses you on:

1. the Barthel Index and you are rated on the same Index within the range of 0 to 8,
2. the Mini Mental State Examination and you are rated on this Examination within the range of 0 to 9.

The Carers Allowance is given if the Department’s Multi-Disciplinary board assesses you on:

1. the Barthel Index and you are rated on the same Index within the range of 9 to 12,
2. the Mini Mental State Examination and you are rated on the same Examination within the range of 10 to 19.

The Increased Carers Allowance is higher than the Carer Allowance and increases annually with the cost of living increase.

Medical Assistance (SKA)

Persons having chronic diseases may benefit from the Medical Assistance (SKA) which is a non-contributory benefit and is means-tested. The applicant has to submit his/her application at the social security district office. If eligible, the applicant will be seen by a medical panel.

Appeals

You can appeal any decision taken by the Social Security Department to the Social Security Umpire. However you can do so only on a point of law or principle of importance emerging from such a decision according to the Social Security Act. You have to appeal within 30 days from when you are informed of the Department’s decision. It is important to note that decisions emanating from Medical Boards (apart from the Invalidity Pension) cannot be appealed.

If you are an EU citizen, you can check what benefits you are entitled to through the contact details below.

More information and applications forms can be obtained from:

The Department of Social Security
38 Triq l-Ordinanza, Valletta
Tel: 153
Email: social.security@gov.mt
Website: www.socialsecurity.gov.mt