Social welfare — Topics

10 Jan 2024

Use of GST U-Save Vouchers to Pay for Other Living Expenses

Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked if households can use GST U-Save vouchers for expenses like service and conservancy charges.
Lawrence Wong stated that U-Save rebates are exclusively for utilities, can be rolled over, and separate rebates already offset S&CC charges.
He noted multiple existing support measures, such as Assurance Package cash payouts and CDC vouchers, to help with living expenses.

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10 Jan 2024

Percentage of Singaporean CPF Account Holders who Have Fulfilled Respective Healthcare and Retirement Sums

The Minister reported that the percentage of active CPF members turning 55 who met their Basic Retirement Sum improved from 66% in 2020 to 70% in 2022, with 70% of these also meeting the Full Retirement Sum and 50% the Enhanced Retirement Sum.
For those turning 65, the proportion meeting the MediSave Basic Healthcare Sum remained steady at around 48–49% between 2020 and 2022.
These figures are largely similar for Singaporean CPF account holders, but complete data for members turning 55 in 2023 is not yet available.

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10 Jan 2024

Update on Median Waiting Time for Hospital Admission and Proposal for More Day or Home Care Services for Elderly Sick

The median waiting time for public hospital beds increased by 2.4 hours from November to December 2023, attributed to a recent rise in hospitalizations due to COVID-19.
Hospitals will activate inpatient teams to start investigations for all Emergency Department patients and prioritize treatments for urgent cases.
Day and home care services are available during festive periods, with capacity expanded from 2,100 day places in 2011 to 9,200 in 2023.
Families caring for sick elderly or disabled relatives can seek assistance from any Agency for Integrated Care Link.
The Ministry of Health notes that the availability of day and home care services depends on the number of operational centers.

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10 Jan 2024

Extension or Cessation of 4% Interest Rate Floor for CPF Special, MediSave and Retirement Accounts beyond 2024

The government has extended the 4% interest rate floor for CPF Special, MediSave, and Retirement Accounts to 31 December 2024 due to uncertain interest rate conditions, with a current rate of 4.08% in the first quarter of 2024.
The CPF interest rate is reviewed quarterly, and the government will consider factors like global economic conditions and the interest rate environment when deciding on any future extension or revision of the floor rate.
The government remains committed to helping CPF members grow their savings, but the interest rate floor may be reduced under certain circumstances, which would be assessed through regular reviews.

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10 Jan 2024

Building a Generous Society and Nation

Keith Chua emphasized Singapore's historical and current generosity, highlighting initiatives like CDC vouchers and grassroots philanthropy, and proposed nine suggestions to further nurture a culture of giving, including developing Singapore as a philanthropy hub and enhancing tax incentives for donations.
Minister of State Alvin Tan acknowledged the vision and shared government efforts such as SG Cares Volunteer Centres, corporate volunteering schemes, and partnerships to promote philanthropy, including the Impact Philanthropy Partnership and Philanthropy Asia Alliance.
Both speakers called for a whole-of-society approach to build a generous nation, encouraging public, private, and people sectors to collaborate and inspire collective action for a more caring and inclusive Singapore.

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9 Jan 2024

Extension of Matched Retirement Savings Scheme to Cover Seniors Aged Above 70

Hazel Poa asked why the Matched Retirement Savings Scheme excludes seniors above 70 and whether there are plans to extend it to cover those still working.
The Minister for Manpower, Tan See Leng, responded that the scheme is set for enhancements as part of broader retirement adequacy measures announced in the National Day Rally and Forward Singapore report.
Specific details on the extension and other enhancements will be announced during the upcoming Budget 2024 and the Ministry of Manpower's Committee of Supply debate.

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9 Jan 2024

Extension of Lift Upgrading Programme to HDB Blocks after Main Upgrading Programme but Still Without Direct Lift Access to Flats

Yip Hon Weng asked whether HDB will extend the Lift Upgrading Programme to blocks that have completed Main Upgrading but still lack direct lift access, and if not, what factors impede this and whether stair lifts will be subsidised for wheelchair-bound residents.
Desmond Lee reported that over 5,000 blocks have benefited from the programme, with 99% having direct lift access, but nine blocks still lack it due to technical constraints, leaving residents to climb one flight of stairs.
He noted that while HDB has piloted innovative lift solutions, some blocks remain unfeasible due to high cost or technical limits, and stair lifts are not suitable for large-scale adoption because they obstruct fire escape routes and pose safety risks.
HDB will continue exploring new technologies for lift access, and residents with medical or mobility needs can apply for the Lift Access Housing Grant of up to $30,000 to buy a flat with direct lift access.

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9 Jan 2024

Plans to Prepare Low-income Tenants of HDB's Public Rental Scheme for Eventual Home Ownership

The Ministry offers housing grants of up to $40,000 for singles purchasing BTO flats and up to $95,000 for resale flats, with HDB’s Home Ownership Support Team providing personalised guidance for purchasing a flat.
Tenants in the Joint Singles Scheme Operator-Run pilot receive regular check-ins and support from appointed social service agencies to address financial or employment issues and promote stability and self-reliance.
The pilot scheme aims to help low-income tenants, including those earning less than $1,500, achieve eventual home ownership by integrating national and local support services.

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9 Jan 2024

Effectiveness of Joint Singles Scheme Operator-Run Pilot in Mitigating Conflicts among Co-tenants in HDB's Public Rental Scheme

The Joint Singles Scheme Operator-Run pilot, launched in December 2021, appoints social service agencies to manage flat-sharing and mediate conflicts for low-income singles, with an expansion in September 2023 to accommodate 1,000 tenants and 590 assisted so far.
The pilot has been assessed as generally effective in mitigating co-tenant conflicts, with almost all reported disputes resolved through early mediation and arrangements like changing flat-sharing setups, unlike the traditional Joint Singles Scheme where tenants struggle to resolve issues independently.
Key performance indicators for the expanded pilot over the next two years will focus on take-up rates, resolution rates for co-tenant conflicts, and tenant and operator feedback, while HDB collaborates with other ministries and partners to assist homeless individuals in securing stable housing.

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9 Jan 2024

Patients Affected by Reduced Subsidy Levels from Introduction of Use of Residential Property Annual Value for Means Testing

The Ministry of Health does not track the number of patients whose subsidies were reduced after using residential property annual value for means testing.
The government increased annual value thresholds for healthcare subsidies from 1 January 2024 to maintain support for Singaporeans with greater needs.
Patients struggling with medical bills after subsidies, insurance, and MediSave can apply for financial assistance like MediFund, which assesses their circumstances holistically.

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9 Jan 2024

Number of Self-employed Persons Receiving Financial Support from Social Assistance Schemes

Ms See Jinli Jean asked for annual data since 2019 on self-employed persons receiving social assistance, including the number of applicants, the average monetary quantum, its proportion to net trade income, and the top three support schemes.
Masagos Zulkifli explained that the Ministry does not track occupation data for social assistance assessments, but during COVID-19, specific schemes like the Special Relief Fund and COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund disbursed about $390 million to 50,000 taxi and private hire car drivers.
The Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme provided $9,000 each to about 200,000 eligible individuals, though data on disbursement proportions relative to income is not readily available.

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9 Jan 2024

Assistance for Parents Following Return of a Child to Biological Family After Being Placed in Place of Safety or Foster Home

Louis Ng asked the Minister for Social and Family Development about the assistance given to parents after a child is returned from a place of safety or foster home and the median duration of such assistance over the past five years.
The Minister responded that case officers and community partners provide support for 12 months or more after the child’s return, with the exact duration and type tailored to each family’s circumstances.
Assistance includes regular safety checks, monitoring, and referrals to community agencies for case management, counselling, parenting support, as well as financial and employment aid.

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9 Jan 2024

Income Criterion to be Satisfied at Point of Application for HDB Flat under Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme

Murali Pillai asked whether the PPHS income criterion should be assessed at the point of PPHS flat application rather than at sales application for a new flat.
The Minister explained that the $7,000 income ceiling ensures PPHS flats go to families with lower ability to rent on the open market while waiting for new flats.
Eligibility is currently assessed at the sales application for a new flat to prevent higher-income households from being disqualified if their income rises later.
Applicants whose incomes fall to $7,000 or below after sales application may seek a case-by-case review from HDB.
The current approach balances the need to target assistance with flexibility for households experiencing income changes.

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9 Jan 2024

Financial Support Options for Unlisted Implants

Yip Hon Weng asked about additional financial support options for custom or unlisted implants beyond existing schemes and whether MediFund is available for patients who cannot afford them.
Ong Ye Kung explained that unlisted implants may receive up to 50% subsidies (capped at $1,000) if not yet assessed, while those assessed as non-clinical or non-cost-effective are ineligible for subsidies but can still be claimed via MediShield Life, Integrated Shield Plans, or MediSave.
He noted that patients facing financial difficulties can apply for assistance through medical social workers, including MediFund.

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9 Jan 2024

Increasing Number of Day Activity Centres and Residential Homes for Adult Persons with Autism

Dennis Tan Lip Fong inquired whether the Ministry would increase the number of day activity centres and residential homes for adults with autism.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development stated it regularly reviews the capacity of funded disability services, including these centres and homes.
The Ministry is collaborating with the sector to enhance support for adults with autism and their families, citing increased awareness and clearer diagnostic criteria.
Additional details on these plans will be shared in the coming months.

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22 Nov 2023

Reason Behind Delay in Lifetime Retirement Investment Scheme Rollout

Leong Mun Wai asked why the Lifetime Retirement Investment Scheme, proposed in 2016, has been delayed and when it might be launched.
Tan See Leng cited global headwinds like inflation and tighter monetary policies that have slowed growth and increased market stress.
The government is revising planning assumptions to balance risk and return to protect CPF members' retirement savings.
Officials will share updates on the timeline once preparations are complete.

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22 Nov 2023

Data on Involuntarily Unemployed and Financial Impact of Unemployment Support Scheme on Taxpayer

Yip Hon Weng asked the Ministry for Manpower for accurate data on involuntarily unemployed individuals, the definition of a sufficient payout under the SkillsFuture unemployment support scheme, its estimated financial impact, funding sources, and potential tax implications.
The Minister for Manpower, Tan See Leng, responded that the ministry is still studying the parameters of the scheme and will announce more details later.

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22 Nov 2023

Breakdown of Applications to Seniors' Mobility and Enabling Fund Within Seniors Aged 60 and Above

The Minister for Health explained that the Seniors' Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF) provides means-tested subsidies for assistive devices to seniors aged 60 and above to support aging in place.
On average, over 99% of the roughly 16,400 unique senior applicants annually since 2019 were successful, as they are pre-advised on eligibility, and unsuccessful applicants are referred to healthcare providers or Agency for Integrated Care Links for further assistance.
The government does not track SMF applicants by economic activity, and data shows high participation in Project Silver Screen, with 99% of SMF beneficiaries receiving spectacles and 7% receiving hearing aids through the program.

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22 Nov 2023

Enabling Low-income Seniors Access to Shingles Vaccines

Murali Pillai highlighted that over 90% of Singaporeans aged 50+ carry the dormant varicella-zoster virus, with up to one in three potentially developing shingles, and asked how low-income seniors can access costly shingles vaccines.
Ong Ye Kung responded that the Ministry of Health is assessing the vaccine's clinical and cost-effectiveness for potential inclusion in the National Adult Immunisation Schedule, which would allow subsidies and MediSave usage if approved.
The debate focused on ensuring affordable vaccine access for vulnerable seniors, with the government considering policy changes to address financial barriers.

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22 Nov 2023

Further Assistance for Potential Buyers of HDB Resale Flats Unable to Afford HDB 2-room Resale Flats

Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked for more help for buyers who can only get low HDB loans and still cannot afford 2-room resale flats.
Mr Gan also asked if the Ministry has reviewed the impact on buyers whose incomes are not keeping up with rising HDB resale prices.
Minister Desmond Lee said HDB offers loans, grants up to $190,000 for first-timers, and other support, with most buyers able to service mortgages with little cash outlay.
He added that low-income and vulnerable groups can seek rental or interim housing, and the Government regularly reviews policies to keep public housing affordable and will adjust as needed.

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