The one-off €35 government bonus announced in the Budget is to be given to workers, pensioners and those on benefits this week, Social Policy Minister Michael Farrugia said today.

The bonus is over and above the 58c cost of living adjustment which, Dr Farrugia explained, had been set at that level in terms of the COLA mechanism.

The bonus will be given to 220,000 persons and will cost the government €8 million.

Students and part-time workers will receive pro-rata adjustments.

The bonus is being given to all workers who did not benefit from income tax cuts as seen from 2013 tax returns. Those who did not file the return will not get the bonus.

Dr Farrugia added that more than 10,000 people who do not receive a pension because they did not pay enough social security contributions will this April receive a one-off compensation of €100 or €200.

He said this budget measure affects mostly women who paid less than 10 years in contributions.

A total of 4,882 people, aged 62 and over, who paid more than one year but less than five years worth of social security contribution, will receive €100 in the first week of April.

More than 5,230 people who paid more than 260 contributions, but up to 10 years worth, will get €200.

The total amount of these payments will be more than €1.5million.

Those who believe they are entitled to this payment but do not receive it can download an application form from
http://socialpolicy.gov.mt/en/Pensions/Documents/App_NonPensComp_e(v6).pdf