Dalli calls on Benefits Dept to ‘look into’ COLA anomaly
The Social Security Department has been ordered to look into the income ceilings for eligibility to social benefits following the adjustments made recently to the cost of living allowance (COLA).
Speaking in Parliament yesterday while the House debated the Budget, Social Policy minister John Dalli said he asked the Department to look into the anomaly that was being created for many people who are losing their eligibility for benefits because of the COLA increases.
John Dalli stressed that he did not agree with an automatic adjustment system of ceilings whenever a cost of living increase was given.
“Administrators had to continue to hold the reins on public expenditure, but its unfair and absurd that many people, lost their eligibility for certain benefits and ended up losing more than they gained because they rightfully gained COLA increases,” he said.
In his address to Parliament, the Social Policy minister stressed on government’s fight on benefit fraud, through a new and well organised inspectorate which coordinated all departments.
He announced that a specialised central unit was being created for means testing when such testing was required for eligibility to some social benefits.
