Medical Benefit

During a press conderence delivered on the 4th June by Family Minister Michael Falzon, it was announced that the Medical Benefit, paid to those who fall under the ‘vulnerable’ category, will stop with immediate effect as of 5th July 2020. Refer to Press Release here.

Managing Authority: Department of Social Security

Who applies: Employee

Date of effect: after 27^th March 2020

Benefits:

Persons employed in the private sector, who after 27th March 2020, due to the impact of Covid-19 are not going to work because they are ordered by the Superintendent of Public Health not to leave their home, are not able to work from home and are not being paid by their employer during their absence from work.

If employees are eligible for this benefit, they will receive a direct payment of €166.15 per week if they work fulltime or €103.85 per week if they work part-time. In addition, they will enjoy the following benefits:

The Social Security Contribution will be paid and their future contributory pension rights safeguarded
If they are entitled to Children’s Allowance, their 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
If they are entitled to the In-Work Benefit, they will continue to receive it without deductions;
If they are entitled to Supplementary Allowance, they will have its rate 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

Eligibility:

Persons who are under segregation, and thus have been ordered by the Superintendent of Public Health not to leave their homes because they fall under the below list:

Suffer from diabetes and is dependent on insulin
Are on biological medicines
Had cancer in previous six months
Are immuno-suppressed
Are undergoing renal dialysis
Are pregnant
You were admitted to hospital for some respiratory disease over the previous six months
Had a heart condition in the previous six months
Are attending the heart failure clinic
Are on oral steroids

Work full-time or part-time in the private sector
Cannot work from home and are not being paid by the employer during their absence
Have not yet reached retirement age

How to apply:

Application Form: https://socialsecurity.gov.mt/onlineforms/Pages/COVID19MedicalBenefitEN.aspx

Supporting documentation:

Submit copy of the letter received with the order of the Superintendent of Public Health