Social welfare

Assoc Prof Terence Ho requested support from the Ministry of Health for social service agencies' senior befrienders by improving coordination with Silver Generation ambassadors and enhancing technology deployment in homes to monitor vulnerable seniors. Ong Ye Kung highlighted that the Silver Generation Office collaborates with social service agencies to support seniors by identifying their needs and providing befriending services. He reported that the Housing and Development Board is expanding the wireless Alert Alarm System in public rental blocks for emergency assistance. Additionally, the Ministry of Health will roll out an enhanced Home Personal Care service in April 2026, which includes technology-enabled monitoring for seniors.

David Hoe questioned the Minister for National Development about the Government's consideration to extend the wireless Alert Alarm System to seniors living alone in owner-occupied HDB flats, alongside inquiries about constraints and alternatives. Chee Hong Tat responded that the focus is currently on seniors in public rental housing due to resource limitations for operators of the system. HDB has partnered with vendors to offer subscription-based fall detection services for residents in sold flats, which alerts next-of-kin or care providers in case of falls. Additionally, eligible seniors can access enhanced monitoring and response services under the Ministry of Health's program, set to be available later this year.

He Ting Ru asked if the Ministry of Manpower would consider a statutory fund for providing financial support to workers of all nationalities during corporate liquidations and bankruptcies without means testing. Tan See Leng responded that the Government currently has schemes in place that offer means-tested financial support to unemployed workers, ensuring resources are allocated to those most in need. Local workers can receive temporary assistance through the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme, while lower-income households can seek help from Social Service Offices. Foreign workers can access financial support through the Migrant Workers' Centre.

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim inquired whether CPF LIFE members could opt out of using top-up amounts from their Retirement Accounts (RA) for paying CPF LIFE premiums, assuming they have enough balance for a minimum annuity payout. Tan See Leng responded that top-ups to the RA should be dedicated to long-term retirement needs, as they are meant to enhance monthly payouts through CPF LIFE for members' retirement.

Eileen Chong Pei Shan asked for updates on waitlist numbers and average waiting times for Adult Disability Homes (ADHs) and Day Activity Centres (DACs), as well as the success rate of SG Enable's referral system. Masagos Zulkifli reported that as of December 2025, there are 100 individuals on the ADH waitlist with an average waiting time of nine months, while DACs have 370 individuals on the waitlist with an eight-month average. Many DAC waitlisted individuals are pending assessments or have declined placements while awaiting preferred options. The Ministry of Social and Family Development is increasing DAC capacity by 500 places by 2030 and piloting new community living options to enhance support for individuals with disabilities.

David Hoe raised concerns about the impact of the expanded Partner Operator scheme on private preschools serving special needs children and the availability of funding for specialized services. Masagos Zulkifli B M M responded that the government has increased funding to preschools under the Anchor Operator and Partner Operator schemes to keep fees affordable. The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) is ensuring access to Early Intervention services for children with developmental needs and has introduced support programs and resources for all preschools. ECDA also funds specialized Early Intervention programs to ensure necessary services are available for children in need.

Fadli Fawzi raised concerns about the increasing number of seniors living alone in HDB households and the potential risks of social isolation and mental health issues. Ong Ye Kung acknowledged this issue and highlighted the government's ongoing efforts to create a support network for seniors through initiatives like the Agency for Integrated Care and the recruitment of Silver Generation Ambassadors. The Age Well SG program has developed comprehensive support services, including Active Ageing Centres and Home Personal Care services for those in need. The government plans to enhance outreach efforts by collaborating with volunteer groups and community organizations to assist isolated seniors.

Jamus Lim asked if the Ministry of Health would consider adding congenital conditions like hypogonadism to the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP) and sought clarification on the rationale for differing subsidies under the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) and MediFund. Ong Ye Kung explained that the CDMP includes conditions reviewed by a Clinical Advisory Committee, which found that such congenital conditions are complex, specialist-led, and not commonly managed in primary care, making them unsuitable for inclusion. He also clarified that while CHAS offers subsidies for chronic disease management at GP clinics, MediFund is strictly for needy patients in polyclinics and public hospitals due to more stringent oversight.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked about measures to keep utility bills affordable for Singaporeans amidst rising energy costs and a shift towards greener energy. Gan Kim Yong explained that Singapore relies heavily on energy imports, and electricity prices reflect these import costs. The government encourages households to reduce bills by using energy-efficient appliances and offers financial support through Climate Vouchers and U-Save rebates, which can total up to $760 by 2025. Additionally, businesses are encouraged to invest in energy efficiency with government grants to support such initiatives.

Choo Pei Ling asked the Minister for Manpower about plans to reduce upfront costs for hiring migrant domestic workers (MDWs) for families with young children or vulnerable elderly and to enhance protections against misrepresentation and misconduct by MDWs. Shawn Huang responded that the median upfront cost is around $4,700, with measures in place requiring agencies to refund employers if MDWs leave within six months. Families with young children and elderly already receive significant subsidies, and the Ministry is committed to regularly reviewing protections for both employers and MDWs. In a follow-up, Choo requested benchmarks for agency fees to ensure affordability, to which Huang noted that prices are primarily determined by market forces while additional financial support is available for families in need.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked the Minister for Social and Family Development whether the computation of household income for young parents living with relatives could be revised to exclude other family members’ incomes and to consider caregiving expenses for elderly dependents in subsidy eligibility assessments. The Minister of State, Goh Pei Ming, clarified that the gross monthly household income calculation currently includes only the income of both parents, while larger families can qualify for higher subsidies through a per capita approach. Abdul Muhaimin followed up on whether the Ministry has sought feedback from social service agencies about eligibility criteria and requested a timeline for reviews of subsidy frameworks for young families. Goh Pei Ming reassured that the Ministry is engaging with social service agencies for feedback and is open to making necessary adjustments based on input received.

Choo Pei Ling questioned the Minister for Social and Family Development about the number of beds available for the homeless in government and charitable shelters, the measures to support their transition to long-term housing, and the success rate for homeless youths and young adults. Eric Chua responded that there are 730 beds in MSF-funded Transitional Shelters and 160 in Safe Sound Sleeping Places, highlighting support measures that assist residents in finding stable long-term accommodation. Choo asked about outreach efforts for rough sleepers, shelter capacity assessments, and the integration of employment and mental health support for homeless individuals. Chua confirmed that dedicated outreach teams work alongside community partners and emphasized the need for nuanced understanding of youth homelessness, clarifying that the predominant demographic of rough sleepers is still middle-aged men, many of whom are employed and have homes to return to.

Fadli Fawzi raised concerns about additional subsidies and financial support for senior households living in HDB flats, especially those on fixed or low incomes, to alleviate their cost burdens. Jeffrey Siow, the Senior Minister of State for Finance, highlighted existing support measures such as the Lease Buyback Scheme, which offers cash bonuses and subsidies for senior-friendly home modifications. He noted that the Government provides ongoing cost-of-living support through various schemes and has enhanced quarterly Silver Support payments for low-income seniors. Fadli pointed out the low take-up rate of the Lease Buyback Scheme and asked if it indicated a rejection of monetization by seniors, suggesting that the government should find ways to further support this demographic in maintaining their homes. Siow acknowledged the ongoing concerns about living costs and affirmed that the government will continue to encourage seniors to use available monetization options while exploring additional support measures.

Hazlina Abdul Halim raised questions about the average take-up rate of caregiving respite services, availability to meet caregiver demand, and plans to enhance and expand these services. Dr. Koh Poh Koon responded that existing care services generally meet the demand for respite care, with specific support for caregivers experiencing burnout. In 2025, over 14,600 seniors and more than 3,600 individuals with disabilities utilized subsidized respite care services. The Ministry plans to review and enhance respite services, including longer hours for Home Personal Care and updates to the Take-a-Break home-based respite program.

Shawn Loh asked the Minister for Manpower about the delay in implementing the CPF Lifetime Retirement Investment Scheme, highlighting that a typical investment portfolio had performed well. The Minister, Dr. Tan See Leng, stated that they are concluding their studies on how to provide support for CPF members' retirement planning while balancing risk and return. Loh emphasized the need for financial literacy initiatives to help CPF members utilize their savings better. Dr. Tan confirmed that education efforts will accompany the rollout of any new products and acknowledged the necessity of careful consideration regarding market impacts before implementation. Assoc Prof Jamus Lim suggested the possibility of a product focused on local equities to help the Singapore Exchange.

Mariam Jaafar asked if the Ministry of Manpower would enhance the Silver Support Scheme by including seniors in Executive Apartments with low per capita household incomes. Tan See Leng explained that the scheme targets seniors with low incomes during their working years and limited support in retirement, specifically for those living in 5-room or smaller HDB flats. He mentioned that seniors in unique situations can request a review of their eligibility on a case-by-case basis through the Central Provident Fund Board.

Shawn Loh requested a review of the Silver Support Scheme to consider moving from quarterly to monthly payouts for easier financial planning and to reduce discrepancies based on HDB flat sizes to avoid neighbor comparisons. Tan See Leng responded that quarterly payouts provide seniors with flexibility to manage larger expenses and that differentiating payments by flat type ensures better support for seniors in smaller flats with fewer resources.

Shawn Loh asked about the expected growth of the CPF Basic Retirement Sum (BRS) beyond 2027 and whether it could be announced five years in advance for better planning. Tan See Leng explained that the BRS provides monthly payouts for basic retirement expenses and is regularly reviewed considering retiree household expenditure, inflation, and living standards. The BRS has been announced in advance for members turning 55 from 2023 to 2027, and the Government will similarly announce any changes for those turning 55 after 2027 with sufficient notice.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong questioned the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health regarding the number of Singapore citizens aged 65 and above receiving CPF LIFE payouts who are required to pay health insurance premiums in cash due to insufficient MediSave funds, and how many of these individuals pay over 50% of their payouts in premiums. Ong Ye Kung responded that the Ministry of Health does not track this data, but most seniors receiving CPF LIFE payouts are expected to have adequate MediSave balances for their premiums. The Government supports affordable premiums through various subsidies for different income groups and ensures coverage is maintained regardless of financial difficulties.

Joan Pereira asked about the availability and costs of post-natal care services at public and private hospitals and whether MediSave can be used for postpartum care, especially in cases of complications. Ong Ye Kung responded that MediSave currently covers pre-delivery and delivery expenses under the MediSave Maternity Package, and additional coverage is provided through MediShield Life for mothers with post-delivery complications. The Ministry of Health does not track the costs of additional outpatient post-natal services, which vary in nature. Ong mentioned the need to balance MediSave adequacy with Central Provident Fund contributions and noted that financial assistance options like MediFund are available for those facing difficulties with post-natal medical care. The Ministry will continue to review financing schemes to maintain affordability for maternity services.