Social welfare — Topics

7 Feb 2013

Revising Limits for Home Ownership Plus Education (HOPE) Scheme

The Acting Minister explained that the HOPE scheme, while designed for young, low-income couples, has allowed divorced mothers since a 2009 review and is currently under review, with 301 divorced mothers enrolled as of September 2012.
Housing support for divorcees includes assistance from HDB to find affordable flats, options to incorporate resale levies or provide loans, interim rental housing, and public rental flats for those in financial hardship.
Childcare subsidies are available for single parents, with additional ComCare subsidies for families with household incomes up to $3,500 or per capita incomes up to $875, and these are regularly reviewed.
To address late maintenance payments, the Women's Charter allows for attachment of earnings orders, and recent amendments enable courts to impose sanctions like bank guarantees, community service, and financial counselling on defaulters.
In response to a specific case of a divorcee facing maintenance default and court attendance stress, the Minister offered to have MSF staff follow up to provide legal and financial assistance if details are shared.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Feb 2013

Services and Facilities for the Disabled

Denise Phua asked about expanding services like respite care, residential homes, and day activity centres for moderately to severely disabled adults in Singapore, highlighting concerns over physical facilities, funding, and manpower shortages.
The Minister announced plans to increase Day Activity Centres from 19 to 29 by 2020, pilot drop-in programmes, enhance home care support, and add 2,400 residential places, while working with Voluntary Welfare Organisations to meet growing demand.
The Minister acknowledged the challenges of funding and manpower, committing to provide forecasts and work with VWOs to address segmented needs, including exploring new manpower sources and part-time opportunities.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

6 Feb 2013

New Childcare Centres and Childcare Fees

The Minister explained that anchor childcare operators must be not-for-profit and without religious or ethnic affiliation to ensure accessibility for all children and to direct public funding toward public good rather than private profit, with a policy review underway.
To prevent excessive fee increases, subsidies are targeted at lower-income and larger families, making across-the-board hikes less likely, and anchor operators are monitored to keep fees below the industry median.
The government is working to expand the number of affordable childcare centres, including exploring new sites and modular structures in high-demand areas like Sengkang, and is concerned about market consolidation by for-profit entities.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Feb 2013

Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) Scheme

Gan Thiam Poh requested a review of the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) scheme to extend it to the lower middle income group and increase payouts for all qualified workers.
Tan Chuan-Jin explained that WIS currently targets the bottom 20% of full-time income earners, with benefits tapering down to cover earners up to around the 30th percentile to encourage progression.
The Ministry of Manpower will review WIS in 2013, considering changes in income levels and inflation to ensure assistance remains meaningful while promoting individual effort and responsibility.
WIS is a permanent social transfer mechanism designed to support those who need it most, with the review aiming to balance support with incentives for work.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Feb 2013

Special Credits Given to Employers for Continued Employment of Seniors and Persons with Disabilities

Gan Thiam Poh asked the Ministry for Manpower about the total amount of Special Employment Credit given to employers for employing seniors and persons with disabilities, and the number of employers, senior workers, and persons with disabilities who have benefited.
Tan Chuan-Jin explained that the Special Employment Credit encourages employers to hire Singaporean employees aged above 50 and persons with disabilities, with credit rates of 8% to 16% of monthly wages depending on the employee's age and disability status, capped at $240 per month for persons with disabilities.
Since its introduction in 2011, $268 million has been paid to 91,000 employers for employing 404,000 eligible employees up to June 2012, including $2.5 million for 3,200 persons with disabilities hired between January and June 2012.
The Special Employment Credit is paid twice a year, with the next payment scheduled for March 2013 for eligible employees on payroll from July to December 2012.
The scheme aims to support older Singaporeans and persons with disabilities to gain dignity through work and achieve independence.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Feb 2013

Effective Date of Enhanced Baby Bonus and Medisave Grants

The Prime Minister's Office explained that the enhanced Baby Bonus Cash Gift and Medisave grant for newborns took effect from 26 August 2012, a date chosen to balance administrative efficiency with inclusivity, as it preceded the formal announcement in January 2013.
The Minister acknowledged that some parents might feel the date was arbitrary or unfair, but emphasized that retrospective application of policies is generally avoided, and that families not covered by the enhancements remain eligible for existing benefits under the Marriage and Parenthood Package.
In her supplementary questions, the Member of Parliament questioned the fairness of the 26 August cutoff date and suggested alternative criteria, such as applying the enhancements to children born within one year before the January 2013 announcement.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Feb 2013

Measuring Social Mobility

Ms Tan Su Shan questioned how social mobility is defined and measured in Singapore, citing concerns over high inequality and low inter-generational income elasticity despite strong GDP per capita.
Acting Minister Chan Chun Sing explained that Singapore tracks absolute mobility through educational attainment and income growth, showing improvements over time, but lacks data on relative mobility due to the need for long-term longitudinal studies.
The Minister emphasized proactive measures to support the bottom 20–33% of the population, including investments in childcare, education, and targeted assistance to break the cycle of poverty, while acknowledging the need for more consistent cohort tracking.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Feb 2013

Baby Bonus Grant Disbursements

Since its inception in 2001, the Baby Bonus scheme has disbursed $2.31 billion in benefits, with over 310,000 children receiving a cash gift and more than 240,000 opening Child Development Accounts that receive dollar-for-dollar government matching.
In 2011, families primarily used the cash gift for child-related expenses, vaccinations, and hospital costs, while Child Development Account funds were mainly used for childcare, kindergarten, and healthcare expenses.
The scheme has a high take-up rate across all ethnicities and income groups, with 99% of eligible children receiving the cash gift and 97% opening CDAs from 2001 to 2005, though some low-income households do not open accounts.
Benefits are tiered based on the child's birth order, so families with more children receive greater total support, as illustrated by a table detailing total benefits per number of children.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Feb 2013

Community Health Assist Scheme

Sitoh Yih Pin proposed simplifying the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) application by pre-qualifying residents of HDB rental flats, 1-room, and 2-room flats.
Gan Kim Yong highlighted that CHAS was enhanced in January 2012 to include Singaporeans aged above 40 with per capita household income of $1,500 or below, using housing type as a proxy for economically inactive households.
The application process has been simplified by removing the need for income documents with consent and using a single household application.
Agencies are actively reaching out to residents in HDB rental and smaller flats to encourage sign-ups and assist with applications, while continuously exploring further simplification and targeting measures.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Feb 2013

Assistance for Parents with Problems in Paying for Childbirth and Delivery Charges

Over the past three years, public hospitals extended financial assistance to an average of 1,000 delivery cases per year across B1, B2, and C wards, including about 95 cases annually involving complications during the birth of a fourth or subsequent child.
These assisted cases accounted for around 8% of total deliveries for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents in public hospitals, with additional support provided through instalment plans to manage costs.
Parents facing financial difficulties, including those with insufficient Medisave or who have reached withdrawal limits, can seek help from medical social workers in public hospitals.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Feb 2013

Use of Medisave Funds for Preventive Healthcare Procedures

Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar asked whether Medisave funds could be used for preventive healthcare such as regular check-ups and treatments at various clinics and hospitals.
Minister Gan Kim Yong explained that Medisave is primarily for hospitalisation and costly outpatient treatments, with some expansions for chronic disease care, vaccinations, and specific screenings like colonoscopies and mammograms.
He noted that Government subsidies and other schemes help make outpatient visits and screenings affordable, especially for low-income Singaporeans, while Medisave does not cover alternative medicine like Traditional Chinese Medicine.
The Minister emphasised that any further expansion of Medisave use must be carefully considered to ensure savings remain sufficient for future healthcare needs, particularly in retirement.
The Ministry will continue to regularly review the Medisave scheme to maintain its effectiveness and relevance.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Feb 2013

Subsidy for Enrolment in Student Care Centres

Lim Biow Chuan asked if the Ministry would consider providing higher subsidies for students placed in student care centres.
The government recently enhanced ComCare student care subsidies in July 2012 by raising the monthly household income criterion from $2,500 to $3,500 and introducing a per capita income criterion.
Subsidy quantum was increased to a cap of $255 per month, with lower-income families paying as little as $5 monthly, and a Start-up Grant of up to $400 was introduced.
As of December 2012, nearly 3,800 children were benefiting from the subsidies, and the Ministry will continue to review them for affordability and accessibility.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Feb 2013

Legal Aid and Advice (Amendment) Bill

The Legal Aid and Advice (Amendment) Bill aims to expand access to justice by revising the means test to account for rising living costs, which will allow an estimated 300,000 more people to qualify for legal aid.
Key changes include increasing deductibles for personal and dependant expenses, raising the rental relief cap, and disregarding certain assets like life insurance policies and CPF investments when assessing eligibility.
The Bill also grants the Director of Legal Aid greater discretion to relax criteria in exceptional family and child protection cases, and expands legal aid to cover proceedings before the Shariah Court Appeal Board and the Commissioner of Labour.
Members of Parliament expressed support but raised points on the need for a more flexible means test, the potential expansion of legal aid to criminal cases, and the importance of pro bono work and public education on legal rights.
The Senior Minister of State confirmed that the government regularly reviews the means test, clarified the role of the merits test, and highlighted ongoing efforts to support legal aid through funding and collaboration with the legal community.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Feb 2013

Cost and Subsidy for Treatment of Hearing Impairment

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Minister for Health about the number of elderly Singaporeans with hearing impairment seeking treatment, those needing hearing aids, average hearing aid costs, and whether Medisave could be used for these aids.
The Minister responded that 8,600 seniors received hearing evaluations in 2012 compared to 6,800 in 2010, with 1,500 needing hearing aids and 800 eventually using them.
Hearing aids average between $1,000 and $1,500, and Medisave cannot be used for them as it is reserved for hospitalisation expenses, though subsidies are available for low-income elderly through the Centre for Enabled Living’s Special Assistance Fund.
The government is reviewing policies to better support the elderly as the population ages.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

14 Jan 2013

Workfare Income Supplement Scheme

The Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) scheme, introduced in 2007, supplements wages and CPF savings for low-income workers, with a 1:2.5 cash-to-CPF ratio for employees and full CPF for the self-employed, and targets the bottom 20% of income earners while extending benefits up to the 30th percentile.
Enhancements since 2010 include increased payout quantum and income cap, with payment frequency doubled to four times a year by 2012, and a review is scheduled for 2013 to consider changes in income, inflation, and the balance between cash aid and retirement savings.
The government emphasizes a holistic approach to supporting low-income workers, noting that WIS is one of several schemes alongside ComCare and Medifund, and the review will focus on ensuring the scheme's effectiveness, fiscal sustainability, and targeting of those most in need.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

14 Jan 2013

Increased National Healthcare Budget for the Elderly

Member Mary Liew proposed increasing the national healthcare budget and reviewing MediShield to reduce out-of-pocket expenses and improve insurance coverage for the elderly.
Minister Gan Kim Yong stated that the healthcare budget has been steadily increased, with plans to double it from $4 billion in 2011 to about $8 billion in 2016, and highlighted enhanced subsidies for primary and long-term care.
The government will provide a one-time Medisave top-up of up to $400 and regular annual top-ups of up to $450 for less well-off elderly to help with MediShield premiums and healthcare costs.
The Ministry of Health is conducting an ongoing review of the healthcare financing system to maintain affordability through subsidies and the 3Ms framework (Medisave, MediShield, Medifund).

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

14 Jan 2013

Community Health Assist Scheme

Zainal Sapari asked whether CHAS could be extended to school-going children of eligible beneficiaries, how many appeals were received, and what grounds justify deviations from existing criteria for approval.
Gan Kim Yong stated that CHAS focuses on lower-income elderly with chronic conditions, was enhanced in 2012 to include those aged 40 and above with relaxed income criteria, and currently covers about 240,000 Singaporeans.
Between January and November 2012, around 530 appeals were assessed, with 80% approved based on case-by-case reviews considering factors like medical severity, job loss, or pay cuts; those ineligible can still seek subsidized care at polyclinics.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

14 Jan 2013

Reviewing Household Income Ceiling Criterion For HDB Rental Flats

Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked the Minister for National Development to review the $1,500 monthly household income ceiling for HDB rental flats and to consider using per capita income for eligibility assessments.
Khaw Boon Wan explained that HDB rental flats are for needy families with no viable housing options and that the current $1,500 income ceiling aligns with the 20th percentile of household income, making it appropriate.
He added that HDB exercises flexibility, allowing larger families exceeding the income ceiling to still get rental flats if they lack family support or other housing options.
The debate highlighted concerns about the strict income criterion versus the need to support vulnerable households.
No changes to the income ceiling policy were announced, but the existing flexibility was emphasized.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

14 Jan 2013

Lifts at Overhead Bridges

Lim Biow Chuan asked the government to consider installing lifts at overhead bridges in estates with many elderly residents.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) began retrofitting lifts at six pedestrian overhead bridges near MRT stations in 2012 due to high usage and lack of nearby barrier-free alternatives.
LTA has studied expanding lift provision to more overhead bridges to better serve the elderly and other groups, and has decided in principle to launch a new programme for this.
More details on the new programme will be announced in the coming weeks after finalisation.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

14 Jan 2013

Extension of Lease Buyback Scheme to Owners of Larger HDB Flats

Gerald Giam asked if the Lease Buyback Scheme could be extended to owners of 4-room or larger HDB flats.
Khaw Boon Wan explained the scheme is currently targeted at lower-income elderly in smaller flats to boost retirement income.
The government has no plan to extend it to larger flats as owners have other monetisation options.
Elderly households in larger flats can rent out spare rooms or right-size to smaller units via the Silver Housing Bonus Scheme.
The existing scheme focuses on small flats because elderly households tend to be small and need additional income support.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source