New medical benefits announced

Following the introduction of Legal Notice 111 of 2020, ordering vulnerable persons to remain segregated in their residence, persons employed in the private sector who, after 27 March 2020, are not going to work further to an order by the Superintendent of Public Health not to leave their home, shall be eligible to receive a medical benefit provided that, such persons are not able to work from home, are not being paid by their employer during their absence from work and, have not yet reached retirement age.

Full time employees shall receive a direct payment of €166.15 per week and part time employees shall receive a direct payment of €103.85 per week.

In addition, such persons shall also enjoy the following benefits:

• The social security contribution shall be paid and future contributory pension rights safeguarded;
• Should such persons be entitled to a Children’s Allowance, the rate thereof shall be adjusted taking into consideration the new income earned and this may increase up to the maximum rate of €24.08 per week per child;
• Should such persons be entitled to the In Work Benefit this shall continue to be received without deductions;
• Should such persons be entitled to the Supplementary Allowance the rate thereof shall be adjusted taking into consideration the new income earned and this may increase up to the maximum rate of €4.57 per week for single persons and €12.54 per week for couples.

This benefit applies to persons ordered by the Superintendent of Public Health not to leave home due to the following conditions:

• Persons who are suffering from diabetes and are dependent on insulin;
• Persons on biological medicines.
• Person who had cancer in the previous six months;
• Persons who are immuno-suppressed;
• Persons who are undergoing renal dialysis;
• Persons who are pregnant;
• Persons who were admitted to hospital for some respiratory disease over the previous six months;
• Persons who had a heart condition in the previous six months;
• Persons who are attending the heart failure clinic; and/or
  
• Persons who are on oral steroids.

The online application for this benefit may be found here.
https://socialsecurity.gov.mt/en/Pages/covid19benefits.aspx