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Disability Child Allowance (DSS)

Children with a disability (Mental or Physical) may be eligible for this allowance, in addition to Children’s Allowance and is valid until the child/children turn sixteen (16) years, or fourteen (14) years of age in case of visual impairment.
Energy Benefit – Humanitarian (DSS)

The Energy Benefit - Humanitarian is aimed to mitigate the effect of the increase in expenditure on water and electricity bills of low-income families on humanitarian grounds.

Following the submission of an Energy Benefit – Humanitarian application, a person may qualify:

On humanitarian grounds, whereby the application is reviewed by a Medical Advisory Board, appointed in accordance to the Social Security Act (Cap. 318.) so that a decision is taken.
Energy Benefit (DSS)
The Energy Benefit is aimed to mitigate the effect of the increase in expenditure on water and electricity bills of low-income families.

Following the submission of an Energy Benefit application, a person may qualify either:
- As a social case, or
- Through an Income Means Test.
IVF Leave Benefit for self-occupied persons (DSS)

Prospective parents who are self-occupied and undergo IVF treatment cycles shall be eligible for IVF Leave Benefit for every IVF cycle. This Benefit shall be issued by the Department of Social Security following a submission of a formal application by eligible prospective parents.

Eligible prospective parents must apply for the IVF Leave Benefit for self-occupied persons through an online application. Applications for this benefit will be considered retroactively from January 2025.
Marriage Grant (DSS)

The Marriage Grant may be awarded to a person who is employed, self-employed or self-occupied for at least six (6) months at any time prior to the marriage or civil union and is ordinarily resident in Malta upon legal marriage or civil union. The marriage grant is not awarded to cohabitating couples, whether it is a registered cohabitation or not.
Maternity and Adoption Benefits (DSS)
There are four types of Maternity and Adoption Benefits available under Malta’s social security framework. These benefits provide financial support to pregnant women and adopting parents during periods of maternity or adoption leave. The benefits include:
- Maternity Benefit – A maximum entitlement of fourteen (14) weeks for expectant mothers who do not receive paid maternity leave from their employer. Applicants may be self occupied but must provide proof that they were not engaged in employment during the full fourteen (14) weeks.
- Maternity Leave Benefit – A leave benefit of up to four (4) weeks for employed women who have availed themselves of the full fourteen (14) weeks of maternity leave paid by their employer. Self occupied mothers who make use of the full eighteen (18) weeks of maternity leave may qualify for both the Maternity Benefit and the Maternity Leave Benefit.
- Adoption Benefit – A maximum entitlement of fourteen (14) weeks for adopting parents who do not receive paid adoption leave from their employer. Self occupied adopting parents must provide proof that they were not working during the fourteen (14) weeks of the claim.
- Adoption Leave Benefit – A leave benefit of up to four (4) weeks for adopting parents who have availed themselves of the fourteen (14) weeks of adoption leave paid by their employer. Self occupied adopting parents who take the full eighteen (18) weeks of adoption leave may be entitled to both the Adoption Benefit and Adoption Leave Benefit.
Additional provisions:
- Cross border information is available here.
Miscarriage Special Leave Benefit

This benefit provides paid special leave for employees or self-employed individuals in Malta who experience a miscarriage within the first twenty-two (22) weeks of pregnancy. Employers can claim reimbursement for wages paid during this leave. Self-employed individuals receive a direct payment.
Orphan’s Allowance (DSS)

An Orphan’s Allowance may be awarded to a person who is entrusted with the care and custody of a child whose parents are deceased.
For information regarding cross-border situations please click here.
Orphan’s Supplementary Allowance (DSS)

An Orphan’s Allowance may be awarded to a person who is entrusted with the care and custody of a youngster between the ages of sixteen (16) and twenty-one (21) years, whose parents are both deceased.
For information regarding cross-border situations please click here.
Paternity / Paternity Adoption Leave Benefit for Self-Occupied Persons (DSS)

Self-occupied fathers or equivalent second parents shall have the right to paternity leave of two (2) weeks that is to be taken on the birth or the adoption of the eligible applicant’s child or children in case of multiple births.

Such paternity leave shall be paid by the Department of Social Security for the duration of two (2) weeks at the rate equivalent to the National Minimum Wage applicable as from the date of birth of the child.

Eligible applicants shall claim Paternity Leave Benefit through an online application submitted to the Department of Social Security as shall be explained hereunder. Applications for this benefit will be considered retroactively from January 2025.

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