A medical benefit can be procured by those individuals employed in the private sector of Malta, and who after the 27th of March 2020 due to COVID-19 and medical reasons, are not reporting to work in pursuance of an order by the Superintendent of Public Health not to leave their residence.
Who is eligible for the benefit?
Individuals who have been ordered by the Superintendent of Public Health of Malta not to leave home due to any of the below medical conditions, are eligible to benefit:
- Individuals suffering from diabetes and who are dependent on insulin;
- Individuals who are on biological medicines;
- Individuals who had cancer in the previous six months;
- Individuals who are immuno-suppressed;
- Individuals who are undergoing renal dialysis;
- Individuals who are pregnant;
- Individuals who were admitted to hospital for some respiratory disease over the previous six months;
- Individuals who had a heart condition in the previous six months;
- Individuals who are attending the heart failure clinic;
- Individuals who are on oral steroids;
In addition to the receipt of the above order by the Superintendent of Public Health, the following criteria must also be duly satisfied simultaneously:
- Individuals must be working full-time or part-time in the private sector;
- Individuals cannot work from home and are not being paid by their employer during their absence; and
- Individuals have not yet reached retirement age.
What does the benefit consist of?
Full-time individuals eligible for this benefit are entitled to a direct payment of €166.15 per week, whereas part-time individuals are entitled to €103.85 per week.
In furtherance to the respective payment, the above-mentioned individuals would additionally benefit from the following:
- The Social Security Contribution shall be paid and future contributory pension rights safeguarded;
- Where such individuals are entitled to Children's Allowance, the rate will 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 individuals be entitled to the In Work Benefit, this shall continue to be received without deductions;
- Should such individuals 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.
How can this benefit be obtained?
Eligible individuals may fill in an online application accessible from the Social Security Website through the following link:
https://socialsecurity.gov.mt/onlineforms/Pages/COVID19MedicalBenefitEN.aspx
As part of the application form, applicants will need to submit a copy of the letter received with the order of the Superintendent of Public Health not to leave their residence.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
