Tapering of Benefits

(Married/Civil Union/Cohabiting as per provisions of the Cohabitation Act 2017)

Overview

Beneficiaries in receipt of Social Assistance or Unemployment Assistance or Single Unmarried Parent Assistance or Special Unemployment Benefit for a period of 1 year in the last 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.

What you’ll get

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

65% of the benefit rate for the first year
45% of the benefit rate for the second year
25% of the benefit rate for the third year

Beneficiaries are paid in arrears every 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 1 year in the last 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)