Review Exclusion of Families Receiving ComCare Assistance from ComLink+ Package for Debt Clearance

Mr Cai Yinzhou asked the Minister for Social and Family Development whether the Ministry will consider (i) reviewing the rationale for excluding families receiving ComCare assistance from the ComLink+ Package for Debt Clearance and (ii) extending this package to families receiving ComCare assistance with appropriate safeguards.

ComCare Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance (SMTA) helps individuals and families who face temporary setbacks and need help with basic living expenses.

ComLink+ families receiving ComCare SMTA have still not attained financial stability. Such families are, therefore, unlikely to be in a position to pay off their debts. To support these families, family coaches will work with them to secure employment or higher paying jobs first to ensure that they are financially stable and no longer require ComCare SMTA. These families then have the capacity to start saving part of their monthly income, after meeting their monthly expenses. For those with debts, the ComLink+ Progress Package for Debt Clearance can assist them to clear their debts faster.