Social welfare — Topics

22 Sep 2025

Expanding CDC Voucher Eligibility to Shophouse Merchants and Considerations for Appeals

The debate focused on the potential inclusion of shophouse merchants in the Community Development Council (CDC) Voucher Scheme and the criteria for appeals from residents.
Shawn Loh inquired about the number of additional merchants that could be included if all privately-owned shophouses were eligible and the appeal process for residents wishing to use vouchers at these shops.
Edwin Tong explained that the CDC Voucher Scheme, initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic, aims to support Singaporean households and local merchants, particularly in HDB heartlands.
Over 23,000 hawkers and heartland merchants have been onboarded to the scheme, with ongoing efforts to include more eligible businesses based on community needs.
The CDC considers various factors when evaluating appeals for including additional merchants in the voucher scheme.

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22 Sep 2025

Exclusion of Businesses from CDC Voucher Scheme and Appeal Outcomes

Mr. Low Wu Yang Andre inquired about the rejection rates of merchant applications for the CDC Voucher Scheme based on their location in non-HDB premises and the success of appeals.
The CDC Voucher Scheme is designed to assist Singaporean households with living costs and support local hawkers and merchants, particularly in residential areas.
The Ministry has onboarded over 23,000 hawkers and heartland merchants into the CDC Voucher Scheme, including those who appealed their initial rejections.
The CDCs are committed to collaborating with various merchant associations to include more eligible businesses in the scheme.

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22 Sep 2025

Number of Applications and Approval Rates for Lift Access Housing Grant

Dennis Tan Lip Fong inquired about the total number of applications and approval rates for the Lift Access Housing Grant (LHG) since its introduction.
Chee Hong Tat responded that 78 complete applications for the LHG have been received since its implementation in 2020, with 60 approvals granted.
Out of the approved applications, 12 benefited from the grant increase from $30,000 to $80,000 that took effect in April 2025.

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22 Sep 2025

Waiting Times for Enrolment into Day Activity Centres

Ms. Elysa Chen inquired about the current and projected waiting times for enrolment into Day Activity Centres (DACs).
As of August 2025, there are 32 MSF-funded DACs with a capacity of over 1,800 places and a 90% utilisation rate.
The mean and median waiting time for enrolment into a DAC is approximately eight months.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development plans to increase DAC capacity by 500 places by 2030.
Interim engagement options are available for persons with disabilities through the Special Transition and Engagement Programme and the Enabling Services Hub pilot.

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22 Sep 2025

Utilisation Rate of Take-A-Break Caregiver Respite Programme

The Take-A-Break caregiver respite programme, initiated by SG Enable in 2020, has supported nearly 400 caregivers and provided over 20,000 hours of respite care as of August 2025.
Challenges in the programme's implementation and strategies for increasing awareness among caregivers were discussed, with a focus on refining the service to better meet their needs.
Caregivers who are temporarily unable to provide care have access to various respite care options, including home-based services, community activities, and short-term care at disability homes.
SG Enable collaborates with various organizations to promote awareness of respite care options, including the use of the Enabling Guide website for information.

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22 Sep 2025

Help under Grow Well SG for Children from Vulnerable Families to Benefit from Early Healthy Lifestyle Interventions

Dr. Hamid Razak inquired about targeted support measures under Grow Well SG for children from vulnerable families and the potential for partnerships to enhance access to healthy lifestyle interventions.
Minister Ong Ye Kung emphasized that Grow Well SG is a universal initiative aimed at benefiting all children, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds who lack access to preventive health services.
The program includes personalized Health Plans for Primary 1 to 3 students, with plans to expand to other age groups in the future.
There is a collaboration with the Ministry of Social and Family Development to provide additional health support for ComLink+ families, promoting healthy habits and access to health services for their children.

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22 Sep 2025

Proposal to Use Excess U-Save Rebates to Offset Service and Conservancy Charges

Edward Chia Bing Hui proposed allowing households with low utilities usage to use excess U-Save rebates to offset Service and Conservancy Charges (S&CC).
Lawrence Wong responded that U-Save rebates are specifically for utilities expenses and can be rolled over indefinitely for future use.
Wong noted that eligible households will receive a separate GST Voucher for S&CC, which will cover 1.5 to 3.5 months of charges in Financial Year 2025.

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22 Sep 2025

Provision of and Subsidy for Personal Tracking Devices for Caregivers of Children with Autism under Assistive Technology Fund

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat inquired about the eligibility of personal tracking devices for subsidies under the Assistive Technology Fund (ATF) and requested data on their usage by caregivers of children with autism.
The Minister for Social and Family Development, Masagos Zulkifli, confirmed that personal tracking devices can be subsidized under the ATF, as they assist individuals with autism in living independently.
There have been no applications for personal tracking devices from persons with disabilities to date, and the choice to use such devices is left to the caregivers.
The Ministry will not provide tracking devices proactively through early intervention centres, emphasizing caregiver discretion in the decision-making process.

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22 Sep 2025

Eligibility and Appeal Avenues for Merchants to Participate in CDC Voucher Scheme

The CDC Voucher Scheme was introduced in June 2020 to assist Singaporean households with living costs and support local hawkers and merchants, particularly in HDB heartlands.
Eligibility for merchants not located in HDB premises is determined on a case-by-case basis, focusing on small businesses that provide essential goods and services in areas lacking heartland merchants.
In 2023, the scheme expanded to include supermarkets, with a balanced distribution of vouchers for both supermarkets and heartland merchants, achieving a 97% spend rate for the 2024 tranche.
Over 23,000 hawkers and heartland merchants have been onboarded, with ongoing collaboration with merchant associations to ensure effective participation and support for local businesses.
The government is committed to monitoring and reviewing the scheme to enhance its effectiveness and ensure it meets the needs of Singaporean households.

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22 Sep 2025

Reviewing Merchant Eligibility Criteria of CDC Voucher Scheme to Ensure Fairness for Small Businesses

Edward Chia Bing Hui raised concerns about the need to review the merchant eligibility criteria for the CDC Voucher Scheme to ensure fairness for small businesses.
The CDC Voucher Scheme, introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, aims to support Singaporean households and local merchants, particularly in HDB heartlands.
The government has expanded the use of CDC Vouchers to include supermarkets while maintaining support for heartland merchants, achieving a high spend rate of 97% for the 2024 vouchers.
Over 23,000 hawkers and heartland merchants have been onboarded to the scheme, with ongoing collaboration with merchant associations to enhance participation.
The government is committed to monitoring and reviewing the scheme to ensure it effectively serves households and supports local businesses.

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22 Sep 2025

Reason for Engine Capacity, Maximum Power and Open Market Value Thresholds in Qualifying for COE Premium and ARF Waiver under Disabled Persons Scheme

Assoc Prof Jamus Lim questioned the rationale behind the engine capacity, maximum power, and open market value thresholds for the Disabled Persons Scheme (DPS) in relation to COE premium and ARF waivers.
The DPS provides exemptions for eligible persons with disabilities who cannot use public transport, allowing them to purchase cars for work without paying certain fees.
Specific limits are set for engine capacity (1,600cc), maximum power output (97kW), and open market value ($20,000) to ensure affordability and fiscal responsibility.
The Minister indicated that appeals regarding these criteria can be considered on a case-by-case basis.

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22 Sep 2025

Inclusion of Expected Child in Calculation of Per Capita Income for Determining Rental Rates under Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme

Ms. Nadia Ahmad Samdin proposed that the Ministry for National Development include an expected child past 24 weeks in gestational age in the per capita income calculation for rental rates under the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme.
She emphasized the need to recognize the financial responsibilities that come with childbirth and caring for an infant.
The Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme provides subsidized housing for eligible families, including expectant parents, while they await their new Housing and Development Board flat.
A monthly household income ceiling of $7,000 was set in August 2021 to assist families who struggle to afford market rental rates.
Rental rates under the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme are not based on per capita income.

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22 Sep 2025

Excessive Price Pass-through to Essential Goods from Global Supply Chain Disruptions and Rising Rentals

The debate focused on the impact of global supply chain disruptions and rising rental costs on the prices of essential goods in Singapore.
The government is working to ensure affordability by diversifying import sources and enforcing fair competition among businesses.
Additional support measures, such as CDC vouchers and U-Save rebates, have been introduced to help households manage rising expenses.
A pilot initiative for displaying unit prices in major supermarkets aims to help consumers compare prices and make informed purchasing decisions.
Supermarkets are implementing various campaigns and discounts to keep essential item prices affordable for consumers, particularly for vulnerable groups.

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22 Sep 2025

President's Speech

The debate centered around the President's vision of a "we first" society, emphasizing collective responsibility and solidarity among Singaporeans, as articulated by Mr. Fadli Fawzi.
Fadli highlighted the importance of addressing the unintended consequences of meritocracy and the growing sense of precariousness among citizens, which may lead to a focus on personal achievement over the common good.
The need for the government to ensure that all citizens can pursue a dignified life was stressed, particularly in relation to supporting the elderly and vulnerable populations.
Mr. Zaqy Mohamad discussed the urgent threat of climate change, outlining Singapore's proactive measures for adaptation and resilience, including significant financial commitments for coastal protection and sustainable practices.
The debate concluded with calls for unity, innovation, and adherence to the rule of law as essential components for Singapore to navigate current global challenges and maintain its status as a stable hub.

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22 Sep 2025

CareShield Life and Long-Term Care (Amendment) Bill

The CareShield Life and Long-Term Care (Amendment) Bill aims to amend the existing CareShield Life and Long-Term Care Act 2019.
The bill was presented by the Senior Minister of State for Health, Dr. Koh Poh Koon, on behalf of the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health.
The bill was read for the first time and is scheduled to be read a second time at the next available sitting of Parliament.

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5 Sep 2025

Ministry of Social and Family Development

The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) aims to nurture resilient individuals and strong families through family-centered and proactive approaches, ensuring support at every life stage.
MSF plans to enhance access to affordable early childhood services, expand family counseling, and support caregivers while reviewing the Mental Capacity Act for better protection of vulnerable adults.
The ministry will focus on improving employment support for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and promoting gender equality in family and workplace settings.
MSF is committed to supporting lower-income families through initiatives like ComLink+ and Progress Packages, while also enhancing the delivery of social services and addressing domestic violence.
Collaboration with communities, businesses, and individuals is emphasized to build a caring society, alongside investments in technology and partnerships for social innovation.

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5 Sep 2025

Ministry of Manpower

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) aims to empower Singaporeans by enhancing skills, career pathways, and AI literacy to adapt to a changing economy and workforce needs.
MOM is promoting flexible work arrangements and multi-generational workplaces to support longer careers and better work-life balance for seniors.
The Central Provident Fund (CPF) system will be strengthened to ensure adequate retirement savings, with additional support for those struggling to save enough.
MOM is focusing on fair and inclusive growth by raising workplace standards, ensuring protections for diverse worker groups, and supporting lower-wage workers through wage increases and upskilling initiatives.
Collaboration with businesses and stakeholders is emphasized to create a thriving workforce and address challenges faced by various worker categories, including platform workers and freelancers.

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8 Apr 2025

Strengthening Public Education on National Insurance Schemes Such As ElderShield and CareShield Life

Dr. Wan Rizal raised concerns about misinformation regarding ElderShield and CareShield Life, particularly affecting seniors, and asked the Ministry of Health (MOH) for steps to enhance public education and communication.
The MOH has been utilizing both digital and traditional media to educate the public about national insurance schemes, tailoring messages for different demographic groups.
The Ministry engages with seniors through trusted community organizations to provide clear explanations of the schemes and collaborates with insurers and financial advisors for better understanding.
Despite efforts, misinformation continues to spread, and the MOH aims to counter it by issuing clarifications through various platforms and encouraging the public to verify information from authoritative sources.

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8 Apr 2025

Lifting Age Cap in Matched MediSave Scheme for Individuals Who Can Continue with MediSave Contributions

Ms. See Jinli Jean proposed lifting the age cap of the Matched MediSave Scheme for individuals aged 71 and above who continue to contribute to their MediSave accounts.
Minister Ong Ye Kung explained that the scheme currently targets individuals aged 55 to 70, as they have less access to healthcare benefits compared to those aged 71 and above.
The Ministry of Health plans to review the scheme's parameters at the end of its five-year pilot phase to consider potential adjustments.

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8 Apr 2025

ComCare Short-to-Medium Term Assistance Households with Per Capita Income above $800

Pritam Singh inquired about the number of ComCare Short-to-Medium Term Assistance households with a per capita income above $800 for the years 2022 to 2024.
The Minister for Social and Family Development, Masagos Zulkifli, provided the figures: 1,689 households in 2022, 1,372 in 2023, and 1,328 in 2024, representing about 6% of total SMTA households each year.
The per capita income benchmark is not a strict eligibility criterion; assistance is based on a holistic assessment of individual household needs.

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