Debated in Parliament on 6 Oct 2020.
Miss Cheng Li Hui asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) what is the number of Singaporeans who applied for Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) since the two-year extension of application fee waiver in June 2018; (b) what is the total number of Singaporeans who have applied for LPAs; (c) how can Singaporeans be encouraged to apply for LPAs; and (d) whether there are schemes in place to assist those from lower income groups to get their LPAs done.
The two-year waiver of the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) Form 1 application fee for Singapore Citizens was first introduced in September 2014 to encourage take-up of LPAs. It has been extended twice, in 2016 and 2018. The 2018 extension started on 1 September and ended on 31 August 2020, and in this period, about 42,000 Singaporeans registered LPAs. As at 31 August 2020, 88,300 Singaporeans have registered LPAs.
To encourage more Singaporeans to make an LPA, the fee waiver for LPA Form 1 has been further extended to 31 March 2021. Since 30 January 2020, the LPA Forms have also been revised to make the application process easier and more convenient. We have also worked to raise awareness in the community through outreach via Getai, radio advertising and community roadshows (before COVID-19). During the circuit breaker period, we conducted virtual talks to hospitals, participated in a virtual roadshow by the Council for Third Age, and are in talks with banks to conduct LPA webinars. We are also working with community partners to enhance the accessibility and convenience of citizens in making an LPA application.
We will do more to encourage the take-up of LPAs. As part of the overall digital transformation effort of the public service to better serve Singaporeans, we plan to enable LPAs to be made and registered electronically. A new electronic transaction system is expected in the latter half of 2021. Singaporeans will be able to make an LPA conveniently online or carry out transactions with the Office of the Public Guardian electronically and with greater ease.
For those who require some financial assistance to make an LPA, there are many not-for-profit organisations who offer LPA certificate issuing services at subsidised rates. These include Life Point, Potter's Place Community Services Society and Mount Alvernia Outreach Medical Clinic in Enabling Village.
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