Tapering of Benefits – Married / Civil Union / Cohabiting

Overview

Beneficiaries in receipt of Social Assistance or Unemployment Assistance or Single Unmarried Parent Assistance or Special Unemployment Benefit for a period of one (1) year in the last three (3) years and contract a marriage or civil union or a cohabitation (Cap. 571.) with an employed person whose earnings are equal to the weekly National Minimum Wage or more, may be awarded the Tapering of Benefits.

What you’ll get

The awarded Tapering of Benefits rate is a percentage of the last Social Benefit rate awarded excluding bonuses:

75% of the benefit rate for the first year.
55% of the benefit rate for the second year.
35% of the benefit rate for the third year.

Beneficiaries are paid in arrears every four (4) weeks.

You may make use of an online Calculator to calculate your potential entitlement of the Tapering of Benefits.

Eligibility

General eligibility criteria:

Applicants who are in receipt of Social Assistance or Unemployment Assistance or Single Unmarried Parent Assistance or Special Unemployment Benefit Social Assistance for one (1) year in the last three (3) years prior to their date of Marriage or Civil Union or Cohabiting and the spouse is gainfully occupied earning the weekly National Minimum Wage or more.

Documentation required

General documentation:

A registered and insinuated Certificate of Civil Union from the Public Registry (where applicable).
A registered and insinuated Certificate of Cohabitation from the Public Registry (where applicable).