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<h1>Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Europe, 2014</h1>
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<h1>Malta</h1>
<div class="exchangeRate">Exchange rate: <abbr class="spell">US</abbr>$1.00&nbsp;= 0.73&nbsp;euros (&euro;).</div>
<h2>Old Age, Disability, and Survivors</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First laws:</span> 1956 (old age and survivors), 1956 (social assistance), 1965 (disability), and 1979 (earnings-related pension).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Current laws:</span> 1987 (social security) and 2006 (pension system reform).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Social insurance and social assistance system.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p>Residents, citizens employed abroad by foreign employers with a business in Malta, and students in certain work-study programs.</p>
<p>Exclusions: Married persons not gainfully employed and <span class="nobr">full-time</span> students.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person:</span> 10% of covered wages; &euro;6.62 a week if younger than age&nbsp;18 with earnings up to the legal minimum wage.</p>
<p>The legal weekly minimum wage is &euro;165.68.</p>
<p>The minimum weekly contribution is &euro;16.57.</p>
<p>The maximum weekly contribution is &euro;34.25 for persons born before January&nbsp;1, 1962 and &euro;41.21 for persons born on or after January&nbsp;1, 1962.</p>
<p>The maximum annual earnings used to calculate contributions are &euro;17,811 for persons born before January&nbsp;1, 1962 and &euro;21,431 for persons born on or after January&nbsp;1, 1962.</p>
<p>The insured's contributions also finance cash sickness, work injury, and unemployment benefits.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person:</span> From &euro;28.38 to &euro;61.82 a week, depending on net income from self-employment.</p>
<p>The maximum annual net income used to calculate contributions is &euro;17,811 for persons born before January&nbsp;1, 1962 and &euro;21,431 for persons born on or after January&nbsp;1, 1962.</p>
<p>The self-employed person's contributions also finance cash sickness and work injury benefits.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer:</span> 10% of covered payroll; &euro;6.62 a week for employees younger than age&nbsp;18 with earnings up to the legal minimum wage.</p>
<p>The legal weekly minimum wage is &euro;165.68.</p>
<p>The minimum weekly contribution for each employee is &euro;16.57.</p>
<p>The maximum weekly contribution is &euro;41.21.</p>
<p>The employer's contributions also finance cash sickness, work injury, and unemployment benefits.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government:</span> 50% of the value of total contributions.</p>
<p>The government's contributions also finance cash sickness, work injury, and unemployment benefits.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Contributory <span class="nobr">old-age</span> pension (<span class="nobr">two-thirds</span> pension):</span> Age&nbsp;62 if born from 1952 to 1955; age&nbsp;63 if born from 1956 to 1958; age&nbsp;64 if born from 1959 to 1961; age&nbsp;65 if born on or after January&nbsp;1, 1962. Paid to all workers who were first insured on or after January&nbsp;16, 1979.</p>
<p>Must have at least 156&nbsp;weeks of paid contributions, including an annual average of at least 50&nbsp;weeks of paid or credited contributions for 35&nbsp;years; must have been gainfully employed for the 10&nbsp;years immediately prior to retirement.</p>
<p>Partial pension: Must have an annual average of at least 15&nbsp;weeks of contributions.</p>
<p>Child-raising credits: Two years of contributions toward <span class="nobr">old-age</span> benefits are credited to an insured parent (including adoptive parents) for each child raised up to age six; four years of contributions, and up to age&nbsp;10 if the child is disabled). The parents must have legal custody. The credited periods can be shared between the parents.</p>
<p>Early pension: Age&nbsp;61, regardless of date of birth. Must have at least 2,080&nbsp;weeks of paid or credited contributions since age&nbsp;18 if born on or after January&nbsp;1, 1962; 1,820&nbsp;weeks since age&nbsp;18 (age&nbsp;19 if born before May&nbsp;5, 1958) if born between 1952 and 1961.</p>
<p>Employment must cease.</p>
<p>Deferred pension: The insured may continue working past the retirement age up to age&nbsp;65.</p>
<p>The <span class="nobr">old-age</span> pension is payable abroad.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Contributory <span class="nobr">old-age</span> pension <span class="nobr">(flat-rate</span> pension):</span> Age&nbsp;62 if born from 1952 to 1955; age&nbsp;63 if born from 1956 to 1958; age&nbsp;64 if born from 1959 to 1961; age&nbsp;65 if born on or after January&nbsp;1, 1962. The insured does not meet all the qualifying conditions for the contributory <span class="nobr">old-age</span> pension (<span class="nobr">two-thirds</span> pension); is either eligible for an occupational pension, or is a pensioner with low pension income. Must have an annual average of at least 20&nbsp;weeks of contributions.</p>
<p>Child-raising credits: Two years of contributions toward <span class="nobr">old-age</span> benefits are credited to an insured parent (including adoptive parents) for each child raised up to age six; four years of contributions, and up to age&nbsp;10 if the child is disabled). The parents must have legal custody. The credited periods can be shared between the parents.</p>
<p>Early pension: Age&nbsp;61, regardless of date of birth. Must have at least 2,080&nbsp;weeks of paid or credited contributions since age&nbsp;18 if born on or after January&nbsp;1, 1962; 1,820&nbsp;weeks since age&nbsp;18 (age&nbsp;19 if born before May&nbsp;5, 1958) if born between 1952 and 1961.</p>
<p>Deferred pension: The insured may continue working past the retirement age up to age&nbsp;65.</p>
<p>The <span class="nobr">old-age</span> pension is payable abroad.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Noncontributory age pension (means tested):</span> Paid if the insured does not meet the contribution conditions for the contributory <span class="nobr">old-age</span> pensions.</p>
<p>Means test: The means test is based on the capital assets and income of the household members.</p>
<p>The noncontributory age pension is not payable abroad.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Senior citizen grant:</span> Paid to persons aged&nbsp;75 or older if they reside on their own, or with relatives, in Malta or Gozo.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Contributory disability pension:</span> Must be age&nbsp;16 or older but younger than retirement age, assessed with a total and permanent incapacity for <span class="nobr">full-time</span> or <span class="nobr">part-time</span> work (at least a 90% disability), and have at least 250&nbsp;weeks of paid contributions including an annual average of at least 50&nbsp;weeks of paid or credited contributions. The insured must have been gainfully employed continuously for at least 12&nbsp;months before the date of the claim.</p>
<p>Partial disability: Assessed with a 20% to 89% incapacity for work.</p>
<p>Partial pension: Must have an annual average of at least 20&nbsp;weeks of contributions.</p>
<p>The disability pension is payable abroad.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Noncontributory disability pension (income tested):</span> Must be age&nbsp;16 or older but younger than retirement age, assessed as having a disability, and not entitled to the contributory disability pension.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Pension for visually impaired, persons with a disability or severe disability (noncontributory):</span> Paid for visually impaired persons aged&nbsp;14 or older with a disability or severe disability with earnings less than the legal minimum wage.</p>
<p>The legal minimum wage is &euro;165.68 a week.</p>
<p>The noncontributory disability pension is not payable abroad.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Noncontributory carer's pension (means tested):</span> Paid to a single person or a <span class="nobr">widow(er)</span> who cares <span class="nobr">full-time</span> for a disabled parent or parent-in-law, grand-parent, brother or brother-in-law, sister or sister-in-law, uncle, or aunt who lives in the same household. The carer's assets must not exceed &euro;14,000.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Spouse's pension (<span class="nobr">two-thirds</span> pension):</span> Paid to a <span class="nobr">widow(er)</span> whose deceased spouse was of retirement age or had at least 156&nbsp;weeks of paid contributions at the time of death, with an annual average of at least 50&nbsp;weeks of paid or credited contributions from age&nbsp;19.</p>
<p>Partial pension: The deceased had an annual average of at least 15&nbsp;weeks of contributions.</p>
<p>The income test was abolished in 2014.</p>
<p>In case of remarriage, the <span class="nobr">widow(er)'s</span> pension may continue at the flat-rate.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Spouse's pension <span class="nobr">(flat-rate</span> pension):</span> Paid to a <span class="nobr">widow(er)</span> whose deceased spouse was of retirement age or had at least 156&nbsp;weeks of paid contributions at the time of death, with an annual average of at least 50&nbsp;weeks of paid or credited contributions from age&nbsp;19.</p>
<p>Partial pension: The deceased had an annual average of at least 20&nbsp;weeks of contributions.</p>
<p>The income test was abolished in 2014.</p>
<p>Orphan's pension: Paid when both parents die. One parent must have been insured and had at least one week of contributions at the time of death.</p>
<p>Survivor benefits are payable abroad.</p>
<h3>Old-Age Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Contributory <span class="nobr">old-age</span> pension (<span class="nobr">two-thirds</span> pension):</span> Up to 66.7% of the insured's annual average earnings in the best three consecutive years in the last 11&nbsp;years before retirement is paid to employed persons and an average of the best 10 consecutive years in the last 11&nbsp;years to self-employed persons.</p>
<p>Partial pension: A percentage of the full pension is paid, according to the annual average of weeks of contributions.</p>
<p>Early pension: Calculated in the same way as the contributory <span class="nobr">old-age</span> (<span class="nobr">two-thirds</span>) pension. The benefit is not reduced.</p>
<p>Deferred pension: Calculated in the same way as the contributory <span class="nobr">old-age</span> (<span class="nobr">two-thirds</span>) pension. The benefit is not increased.</p>
<p>The minimum pension is &euro;35.49 a week.</p>
<p>The maximum pension is &euro;228.36 a week.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Contributory <span class="nobr">old-age</span> pension <span class="nobr">(flat-rate</span> pension):</span> &euro;94.71 to &euro;137.57 a week is paid depending on the marital status of the insured.</p>
<p>Early pension: Calculated in the same way as the contributory <span class="nobr">old-age</span> (flat-rate) pension. The benefit is not reduced.</p>
<p>Deferred pension: Calculated in the same way as the contributory <span class="nobr">old-age</span> (flat-rate) pension. The benefit is not increased.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Noncontributory age pension (means tested):</span> &euro;104.56 is paid for a single person, and &euro;132.79 is paid for a married couple. When only one member of a couple qualifies, &euro;86.95 is paid.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted according to increases in the cost of living allowance set annually by the government.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Senior citizen grant:</span> A lump sum of &euro;300 a year is paid; for the first year the amount is <span class="nobr">pro-rata</span> from the 75th birthday until the end of the year.</p>
<h3>Permanent Disability Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Contributory disability pension:</span> The pension varies depending on whether an occupational service pension is paid, and whether the insured is married and has a dependent spouse.</p>
<p>The minimum <span class="nobr">flat-rate</span> weekly pension for a single person is &euro;94.71; &euro;100.11 if married.</p>
<p>The maximum <span class="nobr">flat-rate</span> weekly pension for a single person is &euro;118.30; &euro;137.57 if married.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Partial disability:</span> &euro;15.45 a week to &euro;68.77 a week is paid depending on the degree of disability.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Partial pension:</span> A percentage of the full or partial disability pension is paid, according to the annual average of weeks of contributions.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Noncontributory disability pension (income tested):</span> &euro;94.71 to &euro;137.57 a week is paid depending on the marital status of the insured.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Pension for visually impaired, persons with a disability or severe disability (noncontributory):</span> &euro;99.40 a week is paid for a single person; &euro;198.80 for a couple if both persons qualify.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Noncontributory carer's pension (means tested):</span> &euro;103.74 a week is paid; an additional &euro;75.36 a week is paid if the disabled person requires constant attendance.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted according to increases in the cost of living allowance set annually by the government.</p>
<h3>Survivor Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Spouse's pension:</span> (<span class="nobr">two-thirds</span> pension): Up to 55.6% of annual average earnings in the best three consecutive years in the last 11&nbsp;years before the spouse's death or retirement is paid if the insured was an employee; if self-employed, 55.6% of average annual earnings in the best 10 consecutive years in the last 11&nbsp;years before the spouse's death or retirement.</p>
<p>Partial pension: A percentage of the full pension is paid, according to the annual average of weeks of contributions.</p>
<p>Spouse's supplement: &euro;4.54 a week is paid for each child if the child is entitled to the child allowance (see Family Allowances). An additional &euro;9.32 a week a child is paid if the child is younger than age&nbsp;18 and the surviving spouse is not gainfully employed.</p>
<p>Upon remarriage, the <span class="nobr">widow(er)</span> continues to receive a pension, which varies from &euro;94.71 to &euro;118.30 a week.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Spouse's pension <span class="nobr">(flat-rate</span> pension):</span> &euro;94.71 to &euro;118.30 a week is paid.</p>
<p>Spouse's supplement: &euro;4.54 a week is paid for each child if the child is entitled to the child allowance (see Family Allowances). An additional &euro;9.32 a week a child is paid if the child is younger than age&nbsp;18 and the surviving spouse is not gainfully employed.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Orphan's pension:</span> &euro;57.04 a week is paid for each orphan younger than age&nbsp;16; &euro;99.39 for each orphan aged&nbsp;16 to 21 who is not gainfully employed. If the orphan is gainfully employed but gross earnings are less than the legal minimum wage, the allowance is reduced so that the allowance and gross earnings combined are equal to the legal weekly minimum wage.</p>
<p>The legal weekly minimum wage is &euro;165.68.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted according to increases in prices.</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity (https://mfss.gov.mt) provides general supervision.</p>
<p>Department of Social Security (https://secure3.gov.mt/socialpolicy/social_benefits/ss_overview) administers the program.</p>
<h2>Sickness and Maternity</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First laws:</span> 1956 (sickness) and 1981 (maternity).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Current law:</span> 1987 (social security).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Social insurance (cash benefits) and universal (medical benefits) system.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Cash sickness benefits:</span> Employed and self-employed persons.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Cash maternity benefits:</span> Resident citizens of Malta.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Medical benefits:</span> Resident citizens of Malta.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person:</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person:</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer:</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government:</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors, for cash sickness benefits. Medical and maternity benefits are funded from general revenue.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Cash sickness benefits:</span> Must have at least 50&nbsp;weeks of paid contributions, including at least 20&nbsp;weeks of paid or credited contributions in the two years before the year in which the claim is made.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Cash maternity benefits:</span> Paid to resident citizens of Malta and European Union citizens and persons covered by the European Social Charter residing in Malta. The insured must not be entitled to maternity leave under the Employment and Industrial Relations Act. (The Employment and Industrial Relations Act requires employers to provide 100% of earnings for 14&nbsp;weeks of maternity leave.)</p>
<p><span class="h4">Medical benefits:</span> There is no minimum qualifying period.</p>
<h3>Sickness and Maternity Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Sickness benefit:</span> &euro;19.46 a day is paid for a married person or a person supporting a spouse who is not employed full time; &euro;12.59 a day is paid for other persons. The benefit is paid from the fourth day of incapacity for up to 156&nbsp;days a year; up to 312&nbsp;days a year if the person undergoes major surgery, suffers a severe injury (not work related), or has a serious disease requiring <span class="nobr">long-term</span> treatment before resuming work.</p>
<p>During a <span class="nobr">two-year</span> period, the total number of benefit days is 468&nbsp;days. The total number of benefit days must not exceed the total number of contributions paid since the person first entered the system.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Maternity benefit:</span> &euro;86.77 is paid for 14&nbsp;weeks (at least five weeks must be taken after childbirth). After 14&nbsp;weeks, an additional benefit of &euro;160 a week is paid for another four weeks.</p>
<h3>Workers' Medical Benefits</h3>
<p>Public hospitals and clinics provide benefits and health services. Public hospitals provide inpatient treatment, including medicine and medical devices, free of charge. Public primary care services and outpatient treatment are free of charge. Persons diagnosed with a chronic disease receive free medicine. Outpatients, except for low-income persons, pay for medicine and medical devices.</p>
<h3>Dependents' Medical Benefits</h3>
<p>Medical benefits for dependents are the same as those for the insured.</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity (https://mfss.gov.mt) supervises cash benefits.</p>
<p>Department of Social Security (https://secure3.gov.mt/socialpolicy/social_benefits/ss_overview) administers the program.</p>
<p>Ministry for Health (https://ehealth.gov.mt/HealthPortal/default.aspx) is responsible for <span class="nobr">in-kind</span> and medical benefits.</p>
<p>Health Division administers the <span class="nobr">in-kind</span> benefits.</p>
<h2>Work Injury</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First law:</span> 1929.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Current law:</span> 1987 (social security).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Social insurance system.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p>Employed and self-employed persons.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person:</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person:</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer:</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government:</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Work injury benefits:</span> Must have at least one week of contributions.</p>
<h3>Temporary Disability Benefits</h3>
<p>&euro;29.21 a day is paid for a single or married person supporting a spouse who is not in <span class="nobr">full-time</span> employment; &euro;21.97 a day is paid for other insured persons. The benefit is paid from the fourth day of disability for up to 12&nbsp;months.</p>
<h3>Permanent Disability Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Permanent disability pension:</span> For an assessed degree of disability of at least 90%, a full disability pension is paid regardless of the number of paid or credited contributions. Benefits vary depending on the insured's marital status and if an occupational service pension is paid. Benefits range from &euro;67.17 to &euro;128.04 a week.</p>
<p>For an assessed degree of disability from 20% to 89%, the pension ranges from &euro;15.45 to &euro;68.77 a week.</p>
<p>For an assessed degree of disability from 1% to 19%, a lump sum is paid ranging from &euro;238.52 to &euro;4,531.27.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted according to increases in prices and wages.</p>
<h3>Workers' Medical Benefits</h3>
<p>Benefits include medical, surgical, and rehabilitative treatment and medicine.</p>
<h3>Survivor Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Spouse's pension:</span> Up to 55.6% of annual average earnings in the best three consecutive years in the last 11&nbsp;years before the spouse's death or retirement is paid if the insured was an employee; if self-employed, 55.6% of annual average earnings in the best 10 consecutive years in the last 11&nbsp;years before the spouse's death or retirement.</p>
<p>The maximum <span class="nobr">flat-rate</span> pension for the survivor of a deceased person who paid contributions only before January&nbsp;22, 1979, is &euro;118.30 a week.</p>
<p>Spouse's supplement: &euro;4.54 a week is paid for each child if the child is entitled to the child allowance (see Family Allowances). An additional &euro;9.32 a week a child is paid if the child is younger than age&nbsp;18 and the surviving spouse is neither employed nor self-employed.</p>
<p>Upon remarriage, the <span class="nobr">widow(er)</span> continues to receive a pension, which varies from a &euro;94.71 to &euro;118.30.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted according to increases in prices and wages.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Orphan's pension:</span> &euro;57.04 a week is paid for each orphan younger than age&nbsp;16; &euro;99.39 for each orphan aged from 16 to 21 who is not gainfully employed. If the orphan is gainfully employed but gross earnings are less than the legal minimum wage, then the allowance is reduced so that the allowance and gross earnings combined are equal to the legal weekly minimum wage.</p>
<p>The legal weekly minimum wage is &euro;165.68.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Dependent parent's pension:</span> &euro;132.80 is paid for a married, dependent father who is supporting a wife; &euro;110.87 for all other cases.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are adjusted according to increases in prices.</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity (https://mfss.gov.mt) provides general supervision.</p>
<p>Department of Social Security (https://secure3.gov.mt/socialpolicy/social_benefits/ss_overview) administers the program.</p>
<h2>Unemployment</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First law:</span> 1956.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Current law:</span> 1987 (social security).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Social insurance and social assistance system.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p>Employed persons.</p>
<p>Exclusions: Self-employed persons.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person:</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person:</span> Not applicable.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer:</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government:</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Unemployment benefit:</span> Must have at least 50&nbsp;weeks of paid contributions, including at least 20&nbsp;weeks of paid or credited contributions in the two years before the year in which the claim is made. The insured must be registered as unemployed and be capable of, and available for, work. No benefit is paid for six months if unemployment is voluntary or the result of misconduct.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Special unemployment benefit (means tested):</span> Paid instead of the unemployment benefit to the head of household who satisfies a means test.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Unemployment assistance (means tested):</span> Paid if the insured has exhausted the right to unemployment benefits.</p>
<h3>Unemployment Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Unemployment benefit:</span> &euro;11.80 a day is paid to a single parent or a married person whose spouse is not employed full time; &euro;7.72 a day is paid for other insured persons. The benefit is paid for up to 156&nbsp;days. The total number of days must not exceed the total number of contributions paid since the person first entered the system.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Special unemployment benefit (means tested):</span> &euro;19.83 a day is paid to a single parent or a married person whose spouse is not employed full time; &euro;12.94 a day for other insured persons. The benefit is paid from the first day of unemployment for up to 156&nbsp;days; thereafter, only if insured has worked for at least 13&nbsp;weeks. The total number of benefit days must not exceed the total number of contributions paid since the person first entered the social security system.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Unemployment assistance (means tested):</span> Up to &euro;100.48 a week is paid. The benefit is reduced by all annual income derived from investments exceeding &euro;100.48. If weekly income exceeds the weekly benefit, no benefit is paid.</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity (https://mfss.gov.mt) provides general supervision.</p>
<p>Department of Social Security (https://secure3.gov.mt/socialpolicy/social_benefits/ss_overview) administers the program.</p>
<h2>Family Allowances</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First laws:</span> 1974 (child allowances), 1977 (special allowances), 1988 (disabled child allowances and parental allowances), and 1989 (family bonuses).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Current law:</span> 1987 (social security).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Social insurance and social assistance system.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p>All resident citizens of Malta and European Union citizens and persons covered by the European Social Charter residing in Malta.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person:</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person:</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer:</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government:</span> See source of funds under Old Age, Disability, and Survivors,</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Child allowance (income tested):</span> All households with children younger than age&nbsp;21, if the income of both parents does not exceed &euro;24,439. For children aged&nbsp;16 to 21, the child must be a <span class="nobr">full-time</span> student, not receive a stipend for studying, never have been in gainful employment, not be registered as unemployed, and not be entitled to any other social assistance benefits.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Care allowance for foster children:</span> The child is certified by a competent authority as a foster child or under the care of an institution.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Disabled child allowance (no means test):</span> Paid to all households caring for a child with an assessed physical or mental disability. The child must not receive any other social security benefit for the disability.</p>
<p>The allowance ceases at age&nbsp;16 (14 for a child with a visual impairment) and may be replaced by the noncontributory pension for visually impaired, persons with a disability or severe disability.</p>
<h3>Family Allowance Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Child allowance:</span> The benefit for one child is calculated as the difference between &euro;24,620 and the couple's income multiplied by 6%. The benefit increases by another 6% for each child. If household income does exceed &euro;17,114, a flat rate of &euro;84.66 a week for each child is paid.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Care allowance for fostered children:</span> &euro;70 a week is paid.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Disabled child allowance (no means test):</span> &euro;20 a week is paid.</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Ministry for the Family and Social Solidarity (https://mfss.gov.mt) provides general supervision.</p>
<p>Department of Social Security (https://secure3.gov.mt/socialpolicy/social_benefits/ss_overview) administers the program.</p>
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