Families on social benefits and those with a total income over €24,620 per annum will no longer need to apply for their children’s allowance at district offices.

The government has simplified a number of processes to slash bureaucracy, Social Solidarity Minister Michael Farrugia said yesterday.

Before now, parents would first need to register their newborn at the Public Registry, then apply for the children’s allowance in the offices.

Families with a total income exceeding €24,620 a year will now automatically receive the minimum children’s allowance without having to apply.

Families on social benefits, who would already have given their information to the government, are also no longer required to apply at district offices.

Within 10 days of registering their child, they will start receiving the minimum children’s allowance.

Families whose income is under €24,620 per annum but who are not on social benefits will receive a letter upon registering their first child instructing them to supply the government with the necessary information. This will include their FS3 or profit or loss account, as well as their bank account number.

Mr Farrugia also said that those applying for their social security number can now do so online. Applications for tribunal appeals on social security decisions can also be carried out online.

Parents will also be notified via a text message when their children’s allowance is about to be topped up.

Parents receive the allowance in four batches.

Referring to the last payments in September, Mr Farrugia said that 39,674 families benefited from some €9.5 million in allowances.