Social welfare

Gerald Giam Yean Song asked if there would be an increase in Public Transport Vouchers to assist lower-income households with recent fare hikes and whether the government plans to maintain its previous goal of covering six months of fare increases. Jeffrey Siow confirmed that the voucher amount increased to $60 in 2024, mentioning that six months is a guideline rather than a limit. He also stated that households needing extra support can appeal for additional vouchers through online or community channels.

Valerie Lee asked about the proportion of private condominiums using the BCA Accessibility Fund and its average utilization over the past five years, as well as the possibility of a dedicated fund for enhancing facilities for seniors in private developments. Chee Hong Tat responded that the Fund has supported accessibility improvements in 161 buildings, with 20 being condominiums. The average annual utilization of the Fund over the last five years was approximately $0.5 million. There is a review underway to enhance the Accessibility Fund to better support seniors in private residential areas as part of the Age Well SG initiative.

Hany Soh raised a question about whether HDB identifies potentially distressed Singapore Citizen households under the Public Rental Scheme for assistance. Chee Hong Tat responded that HDB actively monitors rental payments and addresses public feedback regarding financial difficulties. HDB collaborates with agencies like Family Service Centres and Social Services Offices for case referrals and support. When signs of distress are noted, HDB takes steps to provide appropriate assistance to affected households.

Shawn Loh asked if the Government would extend the CPF Matched Retirement Savings Scheme to low-wage workers under 55, allowing community-matched contributions to boost their retirement savings. Tan See Leng explained that the scheme is targeted at senior citizens who need support closer to retirement, while younger workers have more time to save. Lower-wage workers, including those under 55, can also benefit from the Workfare Income Supplement scheme and the Progressive Wage Model, which promote income growth and skills development.

Chua Kheng Wee Louis questioned the Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth about the 55% increase in the People's Association's expenditure to $1,136 million for the year ending March 2025 compared to $733 million the previous year. Edwin Tong Chun Fai explained that the increase was mainly due to the Community Development Council (CDC) Vouchers Scheme, which expanded from two to three tranches in FY2024, reflecting additional financial support for households. The higher expenditure also supports a greater volume of events and programs organized by grassroots organizations, CDCs, and the People's Association for residents across Singapore.

Poh Li San asked about a potential review of the per capita household income benchmark for Comcare applicants due to rising living costs post-pandemic. Masagos Zulkifli confirmed that the benchmark is reviewed every two to three years and was last updated in July 2023.

Gerald Giam Yean Song questioned the Minister for Manpower about the impact of corporate liquidations on workers over the past three years, including the number of affected workers, the total unpaid wages, and the relief provided through the short-term relief fund. Tan See Leng responded that the government prioritizes employee salary claims in liquidation cases and that measures are in place to support workers and ensure responsible business practices. From 2023 to 2025, approximately $600,000 was disbursed from the Short-Term Relief Fund to assist 260 workers experiencing unpaid wages due to liquidations. The Ministry of Manpower also provides job support services and encourages workers to improve their career resilience through various programs.

Nadia Ahmad Samdin inquired about the Home Caregiving Grant (HCG), asking for the number of applicants, the most common conditions cared for, and applicant demographics by age group. The Minister of State for Health reported over 94,000 applicants since 2019, primarily aged 70 and above, but noted that specific conditions of applicants are not collected. Samdin raised concerns regarding the inclusion of caregivers for individuals with autism and mental health conditions, asking if the requirements could be adjusted to better support these caregivers. The Minister clarified that eligibility for HCG is based on the inability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and assured that the government is reviewing support for diverse caregiving challenges.

Shawn Loh asked about extending the highest tier of Silver Support to seniors over 80 in smaller HDB flats, given their potential depletion of CPF savings. Minister Tan See Leng explained that the Silver Support Scheme targets seniors with low lifetime wages and limited support, and those in smaller flats receive higher payments. Loh suggested merging flat types for more equitable support among neighbors, to which Tan acknowledged the feedback will be considered in future reviews while balancing fiscal sustainability. Tan expressed hope for a future where all Singaporeans can fully meet their retirement needs, reducing reliance on the Silver Support Scheme.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik questioned the rationale behind the Silver Support Scheme's higher tier income threshold remaining at $1,500, despite the Local Qualifying Salary being set at $1,600. Dr. Tan See Leng clarified that the $1,500 threshold refers to monthly per capita household income, not individual income, and that the Silver Support Scheme is designed to assist seniors with limited family support. Dr. Tan emphasized that the Local Qualifying Salary is unrelated to the Silver Support Scheme and is meant to ensure fair wages for local workers. Abdul Muhaimin also inquired about the potential impact of the LQS increase on seniors’ eligibility for Silver Support, but Dr. Tan indicated no correlation exists between the two schemes.

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim raised questions regarding the $140,000 CPF contribution threshold for the Silver Support Scheme and its relevance amidst rising cost-of-living challenges for seniors. Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng explained that the criteria are periodically reviewed, noting significant enhancements made to the scheme since its implementation, including adjustments to eligibility thresholds and payout amounts. Shawn Loh emphasized the need for a fundamental review of the eligibility criteria for the Silver Support Scheme, arguing that the lifetime CPF contribution requirement may not accurately reflect the needs of today's seniors. Dr Tan agreed that continuous reviews are necessary to ensure adequate support for elderly Singaporeans, while balancing fiscal sustainability.

Elysa Chen asked about the awareness and utilization of the Community Development and Welfare Fund (CDWF) among low-income households and frontline referrers like school counsellors and social workers. Edwin Tong responded that the People's Association (PA) administers the CDWF to provide social assistance and welfare support through grassroots organizations. Efforts to increase CDWF awareness include local publicity, collaboration with schools and social service agencies, and leveraging community touchpoints like Community Clubs and digital channels. The PA emphasizes the role of grassroots leaders in identifying residents in need and plans to enhance outreach further to connect these residents with necessary assistance.

Wan Rizal questioned the Minister for Social and Family Development about indicators used to assess family stability and social mobility under ComLink+, the prevalence of persistent challenges faced by these families, and how recent outcomes inform preventive support for vulnerable households. Masagos Zulkifli explained that progress is tracked using indicators detailed in the Supporting Lower-Income Households Trends Report 2025. Family coaches and case workers identify families in need and collaborate with agencies to provide upstream support services, including preschool enrolment and KidSTART programs.

Cai Yinzhou asked about the number and percentage of seniors aged 65 and above receiving ComCare Long-Term Assistance (LTA) and Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance (SMTA) over the past three years. Masagos Zulkifli reported that 81-82% of LTA beneficiaries were seniors, while 9-10% of SMTA beneficiaries were seniors during the same period. The Ministry of Social and Family Development has ceased tracking these figures from FY2023 due to their stability and limited analytical value. Data on the overlap of Silver Support Scheme recipients with ComCare assistance recipients is not available.

Shawn Loh raised concerns about the adequacy of outpatient subsidies for younger adults needing specialist care for chronic conditions not included in the Chronic Disease Management Programme. Ong Ye Kung stated that subsidies at public Specialist Outpatient Clinics are based on household income, aimed at supporting lower income families. He mentioned that lower income patients with complex conditions can access additional support like MediFund. Additionally, he noted that the annual MediSave limit for outpatient scans will increase from $300 to $600 starting January 2026, with coverage extending to clinically effective screenings.

Diana Pang Li Yen asked about potential policy exceptions for older divorcees facing difficulties in purchasing a new home due to CPF Retirement Account regulations after selling their HDB flat following a court-ordered sale. Tan See Leng explained that CPF members' net sale proceeds are used to return withdrawn CPF amounts to their accounts, with funds for members aged 55 and above prioritizing the Retirement Accounts first. He noted that members can use excess funds from their Retirement Accounts to purchase smaller HDB flats under specific conditions and that appeals for using more RA savings for housing purchases are considered on a case-by-case basis. Additionally, resources are available for divorcing couples to explore post-divorce housing options through designated online tools and agencies.

Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked about the number of complaints received by the Commissioner of Charities regarding governance non-compliance by charities over the past three years and how many were penalized. David Neo explained that the Charities Act establishes a framework for charity regulation and governance, while the Code of Governance serves as a best practices guide encouraging charities to comply voluntarily. The Office of the Commissioner of Charities received an average of 80 feedback items annually concerning governance issues among approximately 2,400 registered charities, with most breaches arising from lack of familiarity with regulations. In cases of serious misconduct, the Commissioner can take firmer actions, such as issuing prohibitions against individuals involved in improper fundraising activities.

Yeo Wan Ling asked the Minister for Manpower about the opt-in rates for CPF contributions among platform workers born before 1995 in 2025. Tan See Leng reported that approximately 26,500 or 27% of these workers had opted in by September 2025, with a higher rate of 32% among those relying on platform work as their main income source. The Ministry of Manpower does not record the reasons for not opting in. Efforts will be made to collaborate with platform operators and associations to encourage more participation.

Ng Shi Xuan asked about plans for a centralized SGVoucher digital wallet to streamline Government voucher disbursements. Josephine Teo explained that the Government currently uses various platforms to accommodate diverse citizen needs and comfort levels with technology. The RedeemSG system allows citizens to access multiple voucher schemes easily, without needing an app, and facilitates sharing through unique links. Teo acknowledged the challenge of managing multiple links and indicated that the suggestion for a centralized wallet would be considered in future refinements of digital disbursement strategies.

Dr. Wan Rizal asked about non-financial barriers affecting preschool attendance among children from lower-income families and the Ministry’s strategies to address these issues. Masagos Zulkifli highlighted that lower-income families often face challenges like irregular employment and caregiving responsibilities that hinder regular attendance. The Ministry is committed to ensuring a good start for every child through targeted support from family coaches who help families recognize the value of preschool, improve routines, and secure better work schedules. Additionally, the ComLink+ Progress Package rewards consistent preschool attendance and collaborations with grassroots organizations promote the importance of preschool education. The Early Childhood Development Agency is also enhancing support at selected preschools for children from these families.