By Joe Garofoli and John Wildermuth Updated 7:12 pm PST, Thursday, January 10, 2019 Gov. Gavin Newsom on election night in November. He proposed his first state budget Thursday, featuring increases in funding for education and homelessness programs. Gov. Gavin Newsom on election night in November. He proposed his first state budget Thursday, featuring increases in funding for education and homelessness programs. Photo: Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press Photo: Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press Image 1 of / 8 Caption Close Image 1 of 8 Gov. Gavin Newsom on election night in November. He proposed his first state budget Thursday, featuring increases in funding for education and homelessness programs. Gov. Gavin Newsom on election night in November. He proposed his first state … [Read more...] about Gov. Gavin Newsom’s budget: More money for education, Navigation Centers
Childrens allowance budget
Children’s allowance payments will be sent out from 15th December
Minister for the Family, Children’s Rights and Social Solidarity Michael Falzon, stated that the cost will be almost € 9m for the first three months of 2019, including the announced budget increase. The Minister said that from January there will be increases in children’s allowances, and for the first time in eleven years (and even in some cases 23 years), will increase children’s allowance for families, with a gross income less than € 20,000 a year. The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for the Family, Mark Musu, explained that 8100 families with 12200 children, will be receiving a direct increase ranging up to € 96 per year for each child – this includes parents on social benefits, and working parents. The Permanent Secretary explained that 12,500 families with 18 800 children will benefit from direct or indirect increases in the children’s allowance. 1,330 families with almost 1,400 children, will also receive an increase of € … [Read more...] about Children’s allowance payments will be sent out from 15th December
Children’s allowance payments covering up to March 2019 to be issued as of next week
As of 15 December the first set of children’s allowance payments, which will cover the period up to March 2019, will start being issued to around 42,000 families, Minister for the Family, Children’s Rights and Social Solidarity Michael Falzon announced on Thursday. A number of families will also be taking advantage of increases, as announced in the Budget for the upcoming year. Falzon explained that the major step forward is because for the first time in 11 years , the children’s allowances for families with a gross yearly income of less than €20,000 will increase. In fact, 8,100 families will be seeing a maximum increase of €96 per year per child, with this applying to parents on social benefits and also those who are employed. He said that a further 4,400 families will be receiving indirect increases in their allowances. This means that in total, 12,500 families – or rather 18,800 children – will be taking advantage of increases … [Read more...] about Children’s allowance payments covering up to March 2019 to be issued as of next week
Caritas recognises budget as socially sensitive, but questions if enough was done in certain sectors
Caritas, while recognising that the budget is socially sensitive and addresses the needs of the working poor, says that the question as to whether the benefits generated are being adequately divided, and if the rises are enough to deal with the cost of living, remain. Caritas mentioned some of the socially sensitive measures, such as the childrens' allowance, and an increase in benefits for persons with disability and those with mental health problems. It positively noted attempts to address the grave situation of some individuals who depend on private rent and do not have adequate housing. Caritas positively mentioned the raise in rent subsidies, investment in social housing, and other measures that help people struggling to have a roof over their heads. They said that another measure that affects people include the push to eradicate Hepatitis C, as well as investment in the hail in order to improve infrastructure to improve rehabilitation, investment in youth work and the … [Read more...] about Caritas recognises budget as socially sensitive, but questions if enough was done in certain sectors
Budget 2019: Increase in pensions, children’s allowance; extra day of leave introduced
Pensions have been increased for a fourth year, up to €2.17 per week, or €4.50 per week when considering the COLA. The measure is expected to cost a total of €10 million. Due to the increase, the first €13,434 of pensions will now be tax exempt. Service pensions will also increase by €200, benefitting around 4,500 persons. Bonuses given to persons who did not pay enough contributions to qualify for a minimum pension will increase by €50; while those who paid contributions between one and five years will increase by €200; and those who paid contributions for more than five years will increase by €300. Around 12,500 people will benefit from the measure. The incentive granted to private sectors workers to continue on beyond retirement age (65) will now be extended to the public sector. This extension can only be approved upon request of the worker and the consent on the employer. Fiscal tax incentives extended towards private pensions, … [Read more...] about Budget 2019: Increase in pensions, children’s allowance; extra day of leave introduced