82% of Budget 2026 social measures already implemented
The Ministry for Social Policy and Children’s Rights announced that it has already implemented 82% of all social measures entrusted to it for Budget 2026, with all of this managing to come into effect in the first quarter of the year. This is at the same time that other existing social benefits, such as the In-work Benefit, the Carers Grant, and improvements to the invalidity pension, among others, continued to be paid.
These details were announced during a press conference by the Minister for Social Policy and Children’s Rights, Michael Falzon, during which he explained how 22,885 Working parents with children under 23 will receive their first In-Work Benefit payment for this year. This payment covers January to March 2026, with an investment of €4.3 million, with all benefit rates increasing by €75 per child. This means that the highest benefit rates per child this year have now reached €1,627 for working couples and single parents, and €856 where one parent works.
Meanwhile, around 642 beneficiaries will receive a letter to provide the Department of Social Security with their IBAN number so that they can be paid what is due to them due to them having become new beneficiaries.
“When it comes to the In Work Benefit alone, we have invested €88 million in eleven years, with beneficiaries increasing from year to year after these payments are being made in a “automatically without the need for an application from parents. We are a Government that delivers on our promises, with 82% of this year’s Budget measures already being implemented in the first three months of the year, a clear sign of the ongoing work in the social sector,” stated Minister Michael Falzon.
Director General, George Cremona stated that around 572 parents who are not working to care for a child with a severe disability, will start receiving higher rates of the Carers’ Grant from the beginning of April. The annual grant now amounts to €5,369 – an increase of €179, reflecting the increase in the net national minimum wage. Parents entitled to this grant, in addition to benefiting from social security contribution credits, are now also being given the opportunity to pay up to 5 years of contributions to ensure that they have an adequate pension when they reach retirement age.
Reference was also made to a category of invalidity pensioners who are benefiting from a higher income because they have begun to be paid the equivalent of the Two-Thirds Pension, which they would have received if they had retired.
At the same time, an increase in the additional allowance paid to widows with children came into effect. This allowance has been increased by €10 to €20 per week for each child. Until now, the payment of the allowance stopped when the children reached the age of 18. With the Budget measure, the allowance will continue to be paid until the children turn 23.
