Disability Assistances

Overview

There are four (4) 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 Inter-Professional Board will decide whether the case falls within the medical parameters for payment of these assistances using the ICF Framework (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health). This framework is 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.

The assistances that one may apply for include:

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 disability 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 disability 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 disability 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 disability rating classified with 50% and over is obtained.

For individuals aged between 16 and 65 years who have been diagnosed with a disability, and following an assessment by the Inter-Professional Board using the ICF framework, obtain a disability rating between 30% and 44%, the Disability Benefit may be awarded, subject to the applicable eligibility criteria.

Should an individual between 16 and 65 years of age be diagnosed with a disability and, following anr assessment by the Inter-Professional Board using the ICF framework, obtain a disability rating of 75% or higher, they may automatically qualify for the Increased Severe Disability Assistance, without the need to submit a separate application.

Children from birth up to reaching 16 years of age may also qualify for the Disability Child Allowance, provided they meet the eligibility criteria set by the Department of Social Security. For children with a visual impairment, eligibility applies up to reaching 14 years of age.

An applicant who was eligible for the Disability Child Allowance before reaching sixteen (16) years of age, or fourteen (14) years of age in the case of persons with visual impairment, may still be required to be assessed by the Inter-Professional Board to determine their eligibility for Disability Assistances.

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.

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.

How to apply

Applications for disability assistances must be submitted by a treating specialist on behalf of the applicant, using the designated online medical report form on behalf of the applicant (read more).

Fill in and submit the Medical Report online.