A wedding deposits refund grant has been launched by Economy Minister Silvio Schembri to help those couples who lost funds for one reason or another due to the pandemic.
“We know that the pandemic disrupted a lot of these celebrations,” the minister said in a press conference this morning. “We are helping those couples who because of the pandemic had to postpone their wedding.”
A change in the ceremony’s format or postponement to a later date led a number of couples to lose their deposits. The government has thus launched a €2 million grant particularly pertaining to wedding deposits lost due to changes that had to be made as a result of COVID-19.
The minister said that it is a one-time only grant and each couple may benefit from up to €2,000 in deposits. Most wedding categories, including venues, catering, photography, bridal wear and the like, are eligible.
Am I eligible?
Wedding or civil union ceremonies that were originally meant to be held between 8th March 2020 and 30th September 2020 are eligible for the scheme. Also eligible are: “couples who forfeited their deposits paid on goods and services related to their wedding/civil union ceremony as proven by the documents submitted,” as well as “supplies of goods and services for new wedding date can be from different suppliers or service providers.”
How can I apply?
You can apply for the grant online here and applicants will be required to login with their E-ID. Each applicant will require the below documents that need to be presented in the application. Minister Schembri noted that it is important for the applicant to keep the original documents in hand as an audit can be carried out up to two year later.
What’s the deadline?
Applications must be received “by not later than six months from the date of when the wedding/civil union ceremony was planned.” The minister also noted that the scheme will close when all funds are exhausted. Payment of deposits will then be deposited directly into your indicated bank account. “It is a nucleus in the economy, but for those people it is everything,” Minister Schembri concluded, saying they wanted to make sure everyone is helped during this difficult time.
If you’ve lost deposits when having to shuffle around your wedding this year, this will definitely help you out!