The Social security Department is carrying out a regular exercise to verify that parents are eligible to receive children's allowance where the allowance is paid at the flat rate for those whose income exceeds €25,045 annually.

In a statement, it pointed out that as of three years ago, parents did not need to re-apply for the allowance every year, but the department was currently updating its information. Parents were therefore being sent a form where they were being asked to fill in their data. 

Times of Malta reported on Tuesday that a number of families had been struck off the children’s allowance list after being told that the department did not have their full details. 

The department said on Tuesday that those parents who did not receive their children's allowance in December would receive it once their form was filled in and returned.

It also pointed out that some people had moved house and had not informed it of their change of address. Hence they did not receive the form. It was the duty of all beneficiaries to inform the department of any changes in their circumstances, it said. 

Those who did not receive the form may fill an application online or call at one of the department's district offices. 

More information is available on freephone 153.