Debated in Parliament on 3 Apr 2024.
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance in view that Community Development Council (CDC) vouchers are currently issued on a per household basis (a) whether the Ministry has studied the effect of this policy affecting those who live with extended family members or sublet from main tenants; (b) whether there has been any evidence that citizens who may have greater need for such vouchers are excluded from them; and (c) whether the Ministry has explored issuing CDC vouchers on an individual basis.
The Ministry of Finance responded to a similar question from Member of Parliament Mr Yip Hon Weng on 7 February 2024. As mentioned in that reply, we have other schemes that provide help on an individual basis and would therefore ensure more support for larger households. [Please refer to "Reviewing CDC Vouchers Scheme to Support Larger Households Based on Household Size", Official Report, 7 February 2024, Vol 95, Issue 122, Written Answers to Questions section.]
In addition, Singaporean households residing in co-tenanted arrangements are not disadvantaged. Such households who have not claimed their CDC Vouchers can approach their closest Community Centre for assistance and provide documents, such as a tenancy agreement, to show that they are from separate households.
The Government will continue to regularly review how our measures can better support Singaporeans.
PAPERCUTS