Social welfare

David Hoe asked the Minister for Education about the possibility of an age-appropriate SkillsFuture scheme for lower-income students to access subsidized out-of-school opportunities. The Minister of State for Education stated that the Ministry already provides programs for students based on their needs and offers financial support to ensure lower-income students can participate. She highlighted existing initiatives, such as the Junior Sports Academy and Student Care Centres, which offer structured after-school activities and support. Hoe raised concerns about accessing learning opportunities beyond school and suggested using Edusave funds to cover costs for additional learning resources, to which the Minister responded that the Ministry would explore options to improve access for students.

Cai Yinzhou asked the Minister for Social and Family Development about the retention rates of SG Enable's Place-and-Train (PnT) trainees after one and three years, as well as the number of individuals with multiple placements with varying numbers of employers. Masagos Zulkifli B M M responded that the PnT programme, introduced in 2021, has provided significant salary support and course fee subsidies, resulting in 80% of participants employed six months post-programme, with 77% remaining with their host employers. The programme has been extended by two years to assist an additional 200 persons with disabilities, and the Ministry will continue monitoring its effectiveness.

Rachel Ong asked if grants could be provided to assist lower-income PMD owners with battery replacement costs, focusing on purchases from LTA-compliant suppliers to enhance safety. Masagos Zulkifli explained that PMDs are general transport devices, unlike personal mobility aids, which are for individuals with mobility challenges. He mentioned that eligible seniors and persons with disabilities can apply for subsidies through specific funds. Additionally, lower-income PMD owners on ComCare can receive cash assistance to help cover battery replacement costs.

Assoc Prof Jamus Lim questioned the restriction that tax-deductible CPF top-ups for members on CPF LIFE must go towards that scheme instead of allowing choices for Retirement Sum Scheme payouts, even for those who have met the Full Retirement Sum. Minister Tan See Leng explained that members can only be on either CPF LIFE or the Retirement Sum Scheme at a time, and tax-deductible top-ups are allocated accordingly. He noted that members with at least $60,000 in their Retirement Account at retirement are automatically included in CPF LIFE, ensuring lifelong monthly payouts. In contrast, Retirement Sum Scheme payouts are limited to up to 20 years or until the savings are exhausted.

Yip Hon Weng questioned the policy rationale behind allowing permanent residents to withdraw their CPF savings in full upon leaving Singapore while citizens can only do so after age 55. Tan See Leng responded that the CPF system is crucial for supporting retirement and healthcare needs for both citizens and PRs. He explained that those who renounce their status can withdraw their CPF savings entirely, with the same withdrawal rules applied to both groups. To protect retirement adequacy, both citizens and PRs must set aside a full retirement sum by age 55.

Mariam Jaafar requested information on the value of unspent CDC vouchers from the 2024 tranche, specifically broken down by supermarkets and hawkers/heartland shops, and asked for more flexibility in future voucher categories. Edwin Tong noted that the CDC Vouchers Scheme aims to help households with living costs while supporting hawkers and heartland merchants. Since its launch, approximately $2.3 billion has been spent on CDC vouchers, with $1.26 billion used at hawkers and heartland merchants and $1.04 billion at supermarkets. The separation of categories is intended to balance household support and assistance for local vendors.

Cai Yinzhou asked about expanding the Dementia Go-To Point (GTP) network to support the safe return of persons with disabilities, including children with autism, who may be lost. Ong Ye Kung explained that GTPs serve as safe-return points for individuals with dementia, with trained staff available to assist in reunifying them with their families. Caregivers of individuals with disabilities can apply for a Developmental Disability Registry (DDR) Identity Card, which aids in safely returning missing individuals by providing their caregiver's and service agency's information. The initiatives are tailored to the specific needs of different groups.

Fadli Fawzi raised concerns about the Household Means Eligibility System (HOMES), specifically regarding how processing issues were discovered and if individuals can verify their subsidy disbursements. Ong Ye Kung explained that the issues were first identified through a public inquiry about incorrect income assessment on January 13, 2025. He noted that various means-tested subsidies are based on household income, but individuals may struggle to self-verify their eligibility and amounts. Affected individuals have been reassessed, and agencies are notifying them of the outcomes.

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim suggested that the CDC Vouchers scheme be extended to include more merchants and retailers beyond those in HDB housing estates and hawker centres, particularly in nearby areas. Edwin Tong Chun Fai explained that the scheme, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, aims to support Singaporean households and hawkers in HDB areas. He noted that while the focus is on heartland merchants, some small businesses outside of these areas have been included on a case-by-case basis. To date, over 23,000 hawkers and heartland merchants have joined the scheme, with ongoing efforts to onboard more eligible merchants.

Mariam Jaafar asked about the take-up rate for the ComLink+ initiative among eligible families. Masagos Zulkifli reported that approximately 10,000 families are currently supported by ComLink+, while another 4,000 eligible families have chosen not to participate.

Gerald Giam Yean Song asked about the principles guiding the cost distribution for providing affordable, nutritious meals to low-income patrons and whether the responsibility disproportionately affects hawkers. Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that this question would be addressed in the next parliamentary session on 24 September 2025, along with other related questions, for a comprehensive response.

Lee Hong Chuang asked the Government about potential financial support for seniors living alone to improve access to healthcare, social services, or tailored housing. Lawrence Wong outlined recent enhancements to support schemes, particularly benefiting lower-income seniors with substantial healthcare subsidies and increased quarterly cash payments through the Silver Support Scheme starting in 2025. Housing options include shorter-lease flats and Community Care Apartments, with incentives like the Silver Housing Bonus for those downsizing. Additional initiatives include outreach programs and community support aimed at helping seniors live safely and stay connected. The Government will continue to review these schemes to ensure seniors can age with dignity.

Fadli Fawzi questioned whether excluding income from assets and investments underrepresents Singapore's Gini coefficient, impacting the assessment of income inequality. Jeffrey Siow highlighted that wealthier households often generate more non-employment income, which is frequently under-reported. The Ministry of Finance and the Department of Statistics are researching improved methods for measuring non-employment income and will share their findings when available.

Victor Lye asked if tuition fee loans and the CPF Education Loan Scheme could be extended to working adults pursuing part-time degree programs to promote mid-career skills development. Desmond Lee responded that Singapore Citizens enrolled in Ministry of Education-subsidised part-time undergraduate or postgraduate programs can use Government tuition fee loans, post-secondary education accounts, and SkillsFuture credits, along with bursaries for lower- and middle-income families. The CPF Education Loan Scheme is restricted to local full-time courses at approved institutions to protect CPF savings for retirement and other essential needs.

Elysa Chen asked about the number of individuals assisted by the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support Scheme since its April 2025 launch, which aims to help approximately 60,000 jobseekers annually. Tan See Leng clarified that the scheme does not cover self-employed or freelance workers engaged on contracts for service, as it is designed for those involuntarily unemployed. As of August 31, 2025, Workforce Singapore reported over 7,200 applications, with around 2,900 approved and over 4,300 rejected, primarily due to applicants not being involuntarily unemployed or exceeding the income threshold. The scheme focuses on supporting lower- to middle-income jobseekers and those recently unemployed, with ongoing efforts to raise awareness among eligible individuals and employers. The government will regularly review the scheme parameters to ensure effective support for jobseekers.

Alex Yeo expressed gratitude for the residents of Potong Pasir while discussing the need for improved health and social support for seniors, emphasizing the importance of preventive healthcare and the launch of a Community Preventive Healthcare Programme. He advocated for a review of the means-testing framework for government healthcare subsidies to better reflect the financial situations of seniors, particularly in light of changing demographics. Yeo called for an environment that supports seniors’ well-being, including the creation of Age Well Neighbourhoods. He highlighted the challenges faced by youth today due to excessive screen time and social isolation, urging for community spaces to foster face-to-face interactions among children, youth, and seniors. Edward Chia emphasized the critical role of SMEs in Singapore's economy and proposed eight recommendations aimed at providing targeted support, fostering collaboration, relieving regulatory burdens, and improving payment terms to help SMEs thrive amid economic challenges.