Inclusion, Equality and Social Welfare

In 1990, as a result of a social pact, the COLA mechanism was introduced.

This works by awarding an increase calculated on how much the cost of expenses of the average family in the country has increased in percentage terms.

But the expenses of an average family are different from those of a family with low income or that of pensioners.

For example low-income families, on average spend 30% of their expenditure basket on food, while an average family requires an expenditure of 20%.
This means that for a low-income family, a change in the price of food is more important than it is for an average family.

The same applies to pensioners. Pensioners spend relatively more on medicines and food than an average family.

Taking into consideration such circumstances, whilst the COLA mechanism remains in force, the Government has introduced an additional mechanism as a Cost of Living Benefit.

In order to implement one of the measures identified in Budget 2026, the Prime Minister, the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Social Policy and Children’s Rights have developed the following scheme to provide a once-only grant for persons who:

• were employed by the Rediffusion Group of Companies and were assimilated by Telemalta Corporation and other individuals who were engaged in the broadcasting division of the Corporation prior to 1st January 1978.

• have not qualified or may not qualify for a pension similar to that operated by Government for employees in the public Service.

In order to implement one of the measures identified in Budget 2026, the Prime Minister, the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Social Policy and Children’s Rights have developed the following scheme to provide a once-only grant for persons who:

• were employed by Telemalta Corporation between 1st January 1978 and 15th January 1979 (both days inclusive).

• have not qualified or may not qualify for a pension similar to that operated by Government for employees in the public service.

Interpretation

“effective period” means the period between 1st January 1978 to 16th January 1979.

In order to implement one of the measures identified in Budget 2026, the Prime Minister, the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Social Policy and Children’s Rights have developed the following scheme to provide a once-only grant for persons who:

• were employed by Malta Drydocks Corporation and Malta Shipbuilding and in 2003 were transferred and eventually assimilated by Industrial Projects and Services Ltd (IPSL), now known as Resource Support and Services Ltd

• have not qualified or may not qualify for a pension similar to that operated by Government for employees in the public service.

The Scheme for Food Distribution, also known as the SFFD, is given to people who are most in need or vulnerable. The scheme is aimed at reaching a wide range of people who are most in need or vulnerable. Households who benefit from the Food 4 You Support Project which is co-financed by the European Social Fund+ of the European Union will not be eligible to also benefit from the Scheme for Food Distribution.

Eligible households will be provided with food products depending on the composition of the household coupled with the necessary social support.

Besides offering material assistance to households who are most in need or vulnerable, this scheme also contributes towards the reduction of poverty and social exclusion.

The Senior Citizen Grant is awarded to elderly persons who are seventy-five (75) years or older and

• are still living in their own home or with relatives, or

live in a private residential home, which is not in the Public Private Partnership scheme.

A Pensioner who retires on his pension age may opt to continue working. In this circumstance, if the pensioner is employed part-time, he may be entitled for the difference in payment of statutory bonuses from that paid by the employer. This also applies to beneficiaries in reciept of Severe Disability Assistance and are employed part-time. This does not apply to beneficiaries in receipt of Tapering of Benefits who are employed part-time.