In this year’s Budget, the Government has allocated € 2.75 million to the Home Helper of Your Choice scheme, an increase of € 250,000 over last year.
The Minister for the Elderly and Active Aging Michael Farrugia said this in a press conference during which he explained that by the end of the year 2021, those who were receiving the service under this scheme would receive a subsidy of € 5.50 per hour. With an increase in the allocation of funds, with effect from 1 January 2022, this subsidy has been increased to € 7.00 per hour.
With this scheme, customers who have an approved Home Help service can find a private helper of their choice at the time and day convenient for them. This is a grant scheme launched in January 2020 by the Department of Active Aging and Community Care.
There are currently 53 residences with a total of 85 people benefiting from this scheme, a total of 114 hours per week at a cost of € 798 per week, amounting to € 41,496 per year. .
Minister Michael Farrugia also said that whoever chooses to take this scheme, will be exempted from paying the contribution that is currently deducted from the pension of the beneficiaries of this service.
He said that this Budget will continue to build on the various initiatives that have been introduced in the last eight years. He recalled that during the Budget for this year, the government also allocated € 3.5 million for the Carer at Home scheme, a scheme through which seniors are given financial assistance to employ qualified carers of their choice to help them in their needs. in their private home; without losing the right to benefit from additional services offered by the Department of Active Aging and Community Care.
Regarding the Home Helper of Your Choice scheme, Minister Michael Farrugia said that it could be a trusted person, a family member, or a professional who offers a house cleaning service. The helper cannot be a person living in the same residence and must be registered in accordance with Maltese law. Customers can also hire a private cleaning company to provide the helper.
For more information, call the Home Help service office on 22788317 or 22788435/6/7.
