More than 100 young men and women who have Down’s Syndrome or other severe disability conditions will not have to appear before the Medical Board in order to benefit from Severe Disability Assistance. Until now, the relatives of these people had to reapply and return to the Board because their children have reached the age of 16 and thus no longer fall into the category of Disability Child Allowance.
These details were announced during a press conference by Ministers Michael Falzon and Julia Farrugia Portelli who expressed how this simplification measure will lead to less bureaucracy, waste of days off and other unnecessary effort.
Minister Michael Falzon said that there was a need to stop this process and explained that this is another form of social justice that gives everyone the opportunity to reach their potential. “That is why we are a government that listens, a government of the people and for the people, a government that intervenes where necessary to give a better quality of life to those who are already facing challenges in their lives.”
Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli said that, “Last March we announced that we will introduce a simplification measure for people with severe disabilities through which around 90% of people with severe disabilities will not have to reappear before the Medical Board when they turn 16 years old. What we announced last March we started to implement last June when all those people who suffer from a severe disability and who have reached or will reach the age of 16 between last January and next August and are eligible for Severe Disability Assistance. Those who will reach the age of 16 between September and December will be notified during August. “
