Overview
There are five (5) types of disability assistances available under Malta’s social security framework. These assistances are designed to provide financial support to individuals with physical, intellectual, sensory, or severe disabilities, depending on their age and medical condition. The assistances include:
Disability Benefit – for individuals aged between 16 and 65 who have been diagnosed with a disability but after assessment by the Inter-Professional Board using the ICF framework, a percentage rating between 30% and 44% is obtained.
Disability Assistance – for individuals aged 16 to under 65 with total paralysis, severe physical impairment, limb amputation, or hearing/speech impairments. After assessment by the Inter-Professional Board using the ICF framework, a percentage rating between 45% and 59% is obtained.
Severe Disability Assistance (Physical) – for individuals with a physical disability who are capable of gainful employment. After assessment by the Inter-Professional Board using the ICF framework, a percentage rating between 60% and 74% is obtained.
Severe Disability Assistance (Intellectual) – for individuals with intellectual and general learning disabilities. After assessment by the Inter-Professional Board using the ICF framework, a percentage rating between 60% and 74% is obtained.
Assistance for the Visually Impaired – for individuals aged 14 and over who are partially or completely visually impaired. After assessment by the Inter-Professional Board using the ICF framework, a percentage rating classified with 50% and over is obtained.
For those individuals aged 16 and 65 who have been diagnosed with a disability but after assessment by the Inter-Professional Board using the ICF framework (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health), a percentage rating classified is 75% and over is obtained, they may be entitled to the Increased Severe Disability Assistance.
The Inter-Professional Board will decide whether the case falls within the medical parameters for payment of these assistances.
For those children who are younger than the indicated ages above, the Department of Social Security may also provide them with the Disability Child Allowance depending on eligibility criteria.
An applicant who was eligible for the Disability Child Allowance prior to turning sixteen (16) years of age, but fourteen (14) years of age in the case of visually impaired cases, may still be examined by the Inter-Professional board so as to check for eligibility for the Assistance for the Visually Impaired.
What you'll get
Payments are issued every four (4) weeks in advance. Benefit amounts vary depending on the type of assistance awarded and are subject to the current Schedule of Benefits Rates.
Please click here for a Schedule of Benefits Rates.
Eligibility
In the context of disability assessments, the Inter-Professional Board uses the ICF framework to determine the extent to which a person's condition affects their daily living, participation in society, and ability to function. This assessment results in a disability percentage rating, which is then used to determine eligibility for disability-related benefits and assistance. ICF (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health) is a framework developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to assess a person's level of functioning and disability, rather than focusing solely on a medical diagnosis.
Accordingly, eligibility for the various types of disability assistance is determined on the basis of factors such as age, type of disability, and the outcome of the medical assessment. Entitlement is not subject to a means test, meaning that applicants may still qualify even if they are gainfully employed. Specific eligibility criteria apply to each type of disability assistance:
The provisions of Article 90 of the Social Security Act (Cap. 318.) “Duplicate Rights” apply, wherein a beneficiary cannot be in receipt of two pensions; benefits; assistances or allowances concurrently but to the most beneficial pension; benefit; assistance or allowance.
A person who is already in receipt of the Assistance for the Visually Impaired and is turning sixty (60) years of age will have the entitlement increased to the equivalent of the Age Pension rate.
The person must have suffered from the disability before reaching the age of sixty (60) years.
Disability Assistance:
The person A Disability Assistance may be awarded to a person with a disability who is between sixteen (16) years and sixty-five (65) years of age.
The applicant is suffering from either:
total paralysis; or
permanent total severe malfunction; or
permanent total disability through the amputation or otherwise of one of the upper or lower limb; or
hearing impairment; or
a speech impairment.
Severe Disability Assistance (Physical) and Disability Benefit:
A Severe Disability Assistance may be awarded to a person with a physical disability who is between sixteen (16) years and sixty-five (65) years of age.
Severe Disability Assistance (Intellectual) and Disability Benefit:
A Severe Intellectual Disability Assistance may be awarded to a person with an intellectual and general learning disability.
A Severe Disability Assistance may be awarded to a person with a physical disability who is between sixteen (16) years and sixty-five (65) years of age.
Assistance for the Visually Impaired:
Visually impaired refers to a person whose visual acuity has been certified by an ophthalmologist to be so low as to render such person unable to perform any work for which eyesight is essential.
The applicant needs to be between fourteen (14) years and sixty-five (65) years of age.
