Social welfare

2,215 debates and bills about social welfare

15 Oct 2012

Funds Disbursed to Help Singaporeans Earning Less Than $1,500

Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam explained that financial transfers are assessed on a household basis rather than individually, due to many schemes being household-based or dependent on household characteristics.
For 2010 and 2011, citizen households in the second lowest income decile received average annual transfers of $1,737 and $2,148 per capita, while the lowest decile received $2,549 and $2,923 per capita respectively.
The government could not provide year-to-date 2012 data as household composition and detailed disbursement information for that year were not yet available.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

15 Oct 2012

Goods and Services Tax Voucher Fund Bill

The Bill seeks to establish the Goods and Services Tax Voucher Fund to provide targeted financial assistance to eligible households, and was presented by the Minister of State for Finance, Mrs Josephine Teo.
It was read for the First Time in Parliament and scheduled for a Second Reading on the next available sitting, with the proceedings to be printed.
The debate focuses on the legal framework for setting up the fund and its related administrative matters to support low- and middle-income groups against GST impacts.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

11 Sep 2012

Support for Employment of Disabled Persons

Christopher de Souza proposed expanding financial support, extending special employment credits to non-SPED graduates, and reviewing the Open Door Fund for workplace modifications and training.
Acting Minister Chan Chun Sing responded that current initiatives like the Workfare Income Supplement and Special Employment Credit are being prioritized and evaluated, with flexibility in applying credits to non-SPED graduates, alongside efforts to improve vocational training and job redesign.
Denise Phua asked for formal inclusion of non-SPED graduates in the Employment Credit Scheme, to which the Minister agreed to consider while emphasizing employer partnerships and job redesign.
Lily Neo raised concerns about transport accessibility for disabled persons, prompting the Minister to outline dual approaches: specialized vehicles by VWOs and new public transport options via recently completed proposals.
The debate highlighted ongoing government efforts to support disabled employment through financial incentives, training, job redesign, and improved accessibility, with a commitment to collaborate with disability sectors and employers.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

11 Sep 2012

Plans of New Ministry of Social and Family Development

The new Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) will focus on enhancing social safety nets for low-income and needy individuals and families, addressing complex needs beyond financial assistance.
MSF will work with people and private sectors to improve the accessibility, affordability, and standards of social services for the elderly, persons with disabilities, and caregivers.
The ministry aims to strengthen families by creating a conducive environment for family formation and reviewing policies to better meet childcare and eldercare needs.
MSF will invest in developing the social service sector to attract and retain professionals, raise capabilities, and improve service coordination.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

11 Sep 2012

Support for Frail Elderly and their Care-givers

Mr Ang Wei Neng and Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked for updates on measures for frail elderly and caregivers, including progress on building Integrated Day Facilities (IDFs) and support for sandwich-generation caregivers in their 50s-60s.
The Acting Minister announced initiatives like 40 IDFs by 2016 (with two new ones in Tampines and Toa Payoh by mid-2013), home-based care services, a Foreign Domestic Worker Grant, and expanded Seniors Activity Centres.
The Ministry will consider demographic needs, existing services, and community engagement in planning IDF locations, with details on remaining sites to be announced soon.
The Minister acknowledged the specific challenges faced by sandwich-generation caregivers and committed to exploring additional support schemes for them in the coming months.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

10 Sep 2012

Qualifying Criteria for Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS)

Ms Sylvia Lim proposed raising the CHAS annual value limit above $13,000 to include more economically inactive elderly in non-premium private and landed properties.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong explained that the $13,000 annual value criterion targets subsidies effectively, with over 80% of non-working households qualifying.
The Ministry of Health considers appeals sympathetically for households exceeding the annual value cap due to extenuating circumstances.
The government reviews CHAS eligibility criteria periodically to ensure subsidies reach those most in need.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

10 Sep 2012

Review on Silver Housing Bonus Scheme

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah requested an update on the review of the Silver Housing Bonus Scheme and asked if the review is still ongoing, seeking a completion timeline.
Khaw Boon Wan confirmed that the review remains ongoing as the government gathers feedback and addresses seniors' concerns.
Khaw Boon Wan stated that the review is expected to be completed and details announced next month.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

10 Sep 2012

Publicity of Various Community Help Schemes

Mary Liew raised concerns about how the multitude of community help schemes across ministries are communicated and made accessible to Singaporeans.
Chan Chun Sing explained that needy Singaporeans can approach key touchpoints like CDCs and FSCs for referrals and holistic assistance, without needing to know all schemes.
He highlighted efforts to improve coordination through ComCare Local Networks, a starter kit for frontline staff, a hotline, and a web portal.
The government is also enhancing outreach by funding additional FSC staff, reducing caseloads, and planning to build more centres.
The Ministry remains committed to working with partners to boost awareness, accessibility, and coordination of help schemes.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

10 Sep 2012

Termination of MediShield Policies due to Non-payment

From 2006 to 2011, less than 1% of MediShield policyholders had their policies lapse each year due to non-payment of premiums, primarily because of insufficient Medisave balances.
The CPF Board sends up to three reminders and provides a two-month grace period to help policyholders top up their Medisave or have family members pay premiums before lapsing.
Policyholders can re-enrol in MediShield if their health status has not changed, and fewer than 1% of the resident population is unable to obtain cover due to pre-existing conditions.
The government supports premium payments through Medisave top-ups, premium rebates for elderly policyholders, and additional schemes like Workfare and GST Vouchers, totaling about $2.6 billion from 2005 to 2011.
Those facing financial difficulties after their policies lapse can seek assistance from medical social workers at public healthcare institutions.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

10 Sep 2012

Proposal for Transforming the Childcare Sector

Mr Yee Jenn Jong proposed transforming childcare into a public good with fair contestability, arguing that Anchor Operators receive disproportionate support leading to high fees and market distortion, and suggesting the government manage rents and allow all operators to compete for sites to lower costs and maintain quality.
Minister of State Halimah Yacob defended the current tiered support system, highlighting government efforts to increase accessibility, affordability, and quality through subsidies, grants, and the Anchor Operator scheme, which aims to serve low-to-middle-income families.
The debate underscored tensions between market-driven diversity and state intervention, with Mr Yee warning against policies that could stifle competition and innovation, while the government emphasized its commitment to continuous improvement and careful consideration of feedback.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

10 Sep 2012

Central Provident Fund (Amendment) Bill

The Bill expands the Minimum Sum Topping-Up (MSTU) Scheme to include parents-in-law and grandparents-in-law as eligible recipients and simplifies the process by merging various top-up channels into one streamlined scheme.
It refines the CPF housing refund policy to require members aged 55 and above to refund the principal amount plus interest (P+I) when selling property, ensuring equitable distribution among co-owners and aligning refunds with actual CPF usage.
A minimum age of 16 years is introduced for making CPF nominations, bringing it in line with the Employment Act, while ensuring past nominations by minors remain valid.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source