Inclusion, Equality and Social Welfare

Self-occupied fathers or equivalent second parents shall have the right to paternity leave of two (2) weeks that is to be taken on the birth or the adoption of the eligible applicant’s child or children in case of multiple births.

Such paternity leave shall be paid by the Department of Social Security for the duration of two (2) weeks at the rate equivalent to the National Minimum Wage applicable as from the date of birth of the child.

Eligible applicants shall claim Paternity Leave Benefit through an online application submitted to the Department of Social Security as shall be explained hereunder. Applications for this benefit will be considered retroactively from January 2025.

A Supplementary Allowance may be awarded to an employed,single person with low income, is currently not in receipt of a Children’s Allowance and also not responsible for the family that he/she lives with.  This allowance is intended to help a person bridge his/her income requirements.

As of January 2026, those beneficiaries over the age of sixty-five (65) years, will now be automatically entitled to the Free Medical Aid (Pink Form) without having to be means-tested for it.

A Supplementary Allowance may be awarded to a person having a low income and is currently not in receipt of a Children’s Allowance. This allowance is intended to help a person, or a couple, bridge their income requirements.

As of January 2026, those beneficiaries who are over sixty-five (65) years and receiving the Supplementary Allowance as a couple, the payment will now include their own part of the benefit rate.

Those beneficiaries over the age of sixty-five (65) years, will now be automatically entitled to the Free Medical Aid (Pink Form) without having to be means-tested for it.