Government issues second additional COLA payment to 102,000 families

The government has disbursed the second payment of the additional Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) benefit, providing further financial support to more than 102,000 families across Malta, the Ministry for Social Policy and the Family said in a statement.

The measure represents an additional investment of €28 million, bringing the total expenditure on the benefit for 2026 to €56 million. The additional COLA payment is intended to support low- and middle-income households alongside government subsidies on energy and cereal prices.

The announcement was made on Thursday morning by Minister for Social Policy and the Family Michael Falzon and Permanent Secretary Mark Musù. They explained that more than 100,000 families will receive the second payment this week, covering the period from July to December 2026.

Falzon noted that the latest payment also includes 1,311 families who will receive a full year’s entitlement following a successful application process. Applications were open between January and March for individuals who could not be identified through the automatic assessment system.

“This is further proof that this government stands with people and supports those who genuinely need assistance,” Falzon said. “We will retain this benefit and continue strengthening it, while ensuring that families receive the support they need to improve their standard of living.”

Musù explained that the amount of support varies according to household income and family size. Families with lower incomes receive higher payments, while larger households are entitled to greater assistance.

The benefit ranges from a minimum of €200 per year, equivalent to €3.85 per week, to a maximum of €1,500 annually, or €28.85 per week.

Musù said that a broad range of households benefit from the scheme, including not only families at risk of poverty or in vulnerable situations, but also many middle-income households. He added that a significant number of beneficiaries also receive other forms of social assistance throughout the year.

According to Musù, more than half of all beneficiaries are not considered at risk of poverty. However, they qualify for the benefit because their equivalised income is above the poverty threshold but remains below the national median income.

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