Social welfare — Topics

6 Nov 2023

Mental Health Insurance Coverage

Dr Wan Rizal and Miss Cheryl Chan raised concerns about disparities in mental health coverage among Integrated Shield Plan (IP) providers, asking if the Ministry will develop guidelines or standards to ensure basic coverage and improve data collection and risk assessment for underwriting.
Ong Ye Kung responded that all Singaporeans are covered under MediShield Life for inpatient mental health treatments, while IP providers offer optional coverage with varying limits based on actuarial considerations, noting that outpatient mental health care is better supported through subsidies and MediSave.
The Minister highlighted that MediFund serves as a safety net for those unable to afford treatment after using insurance, subsidies, and MediSave, and that the Ministry regularly reviews financing schemes to meet evolving needs.

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6 Nov 2023

Number of Singaporeans Qualifying Yearly for Project Silver Screen

From 2019 to 2022, approximately 28,000 Singapore residents aged 60 and above participated yearly in Project Silver Screen, excluding COVID-19 suspension periods.
Seniors prescribed assistive devices for vision, hearing, or oral health receive vouchers of up to $200 per device, with additional support from funds like the Seniors’ Mobility and Enabling Fund for eligible individuals.
The Ministry of Health does not have a breakdown of actual government subsidies by device type and continues to encourage participation and facilitate assistive device take-up.

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6 Nov 2023

Implementation of Online ComCare Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance

Since the implementation of online ComCare SMTA applications via SupportGoWhere, about 13% of applications have been submitted online, with the proportion expected to rise.
The online system allows 24/7 access, auto-populates data via MyInfo, enables direct document submission and status tracking, and reduces manual work for both applicants and SSO officers.
Developing the portal cost about $1.5 million, and it is estimated to save clients and SSO officers over 10,000 and 9,000 manhours respectively since launch.

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6 Nov 2023

Expanding Eligible Age Groups and Amounts for Workfare Income Supplement Scheme

Mr Gan Thiam Poh questioned if the Government will expand the Workfare Income Supplement scheme to cover more age groups and increase payment amounts.
The Ministry of Manpower highlighted recent enhancements, including extending Workfare to workers aged 30–34 and raising maximum annual payments to $4,200, while noting that workers below 30 are excluded due to their potential for future wage growth.
The Government announced further Workfare enhancements to be detailed in next year’s Budget, alongside a $1.1 billion Cost-of-Living Support Package to alleviate inflation and GST impacts for lower- and middle-income households.

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6 Nov 2023

Citizens Who Are Eligible to Receive Assurance Package Seniors' Bonus and Have Received Payout

All 800,000 eligible seniors have received the Assurance Package Seniors’ Bonus and the 2023 Cost-of-Living Seniors’ Bonus.
Seniors who did not receive the payout are ineligible due to criteria such as assessable income or property ownership.
The Ministry of Finance encourages reporting of residents whose information may be outdated to ensure they receive the payout.

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6 Nov 2023

Applications for Job Redesign Grant and Training Grant under Open Door Programme

In 2020 to 2022, about 90 firms per year received support through the ODP Training Grant and 20 firms per year through the Job Redesign Grant, with all grant applications during this period being successful.
Specific projects supported by the Job Redesign Grant include installing screen readers for visually impaired employees, providing audio assistive devices for those who are deaf, using tablets with visual guides for employees with autism, and making physical workplace adjustments like ramps and sliding doors for wheelchair users.
The ODP has supported the employment of about 500 persons with disabilities per year on average from 2020 to 2022 through grants, job placement, and post-placement support.
SG Enable engages employers directly and through trade associations to promote inclusive hiring and encourages more firms to use ODP support, with the government welcoming further employer participation.

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6 Nov 2023

Central Provident Fund (Amendment) Bill

The Bill ceases non-residents' participation in CPF schemes to focus the system on Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, with non-residents required to transfer their savings by April 2024, after which balances will be moved to the General Moneys of the Fund with reduced interest.
It streamlines CPF administration by allowing nominees and beneficiaries under intestacy laws to access deceased members' CPF information without prior authorization, aligning with industry practices and reducing administrative burdens on families during bereavement.
The amendments grant CPF Board greater flexibility in document service and notice forms, enabling electronic communication and simplifying processes for members and employers.

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4 Oct 2023

Increasing Awareness of Adequate Retirement Planning amongst Employees Following Recent NTU and Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy Study

The Ministry of Manpower is supporting retirement adequacy through economic competitiveness, job creation, and uplifting lower-wage workers via Workfare and Progressive Wage moves, with projections showing improved CPF retirement sums for future cohorts.
The government is increasing the statutory retirement and re-employment ages to 65 and 70 by 2030 to allow seniors to work longer and strengthen their retirement savings.
Agencies like CPF Board and MoneySENSE conduct outreach including personalized retirement planning services, social media campaigns, and community events to educate members on retirement planning.
The Institute of Financial Literacy partners with employers to deliver workplace financial literacy programs, offering free clinics and workshops on topics like CPF savings and estate planning.
Retirement planning is emphasized as a personal responsibility, supported by government and agency initiatives to provide resources and guidance for employees, especially older workers.

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4 Oct 2023

Basis of Means-testing Assessment for Medical Subsidies Provided to Elderly Persons Living with Their Families

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked whether means-testing for medical subsidies for elderly persons living with families should be based on their individual assets, savings, or income rather than household income, and consider their duration of co-residence and household expenses.
Ong Ye Kung explained that subsidies are currently assessed using per capita household income to reflect the household’s overall financial capacity, which may place elderly persons in higher subsidy tiers but also allows their family members to receive higher subsidies for supporting them.
Ong Ye Kung noted that while per capita household income may not fully capture individual circumstances, those facing difficulties can apply for discretionary financial assistance like MediFund, which considers a broader set of factors.

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4 Oct 2023

Size, Annual Income and Expenditure of Rare Disease Fund

The Rare Disease Fund (RDF) had a size of $143 million as of end-FY2022, with projected FY2023 investment income of $4.8 million and expenditure of $2.4 million for existing beneficiaries.
The RDF primarily uses its investment income to support patients on lifelong, high-cost treatments, but it has recently expanded to allow drawdown of the principal sum for one-off, high-cost Cell, Tissue and Gene Therapy Products (CTGTPs) on a case-by-case basis.
Medications like Zolgensma and risdiplam for spinal muscular atrophy are not listed in the RDF because new treatments are only approved if projected investment income is adequate to support all known patients requiring that treatment.

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4 Oct 2023

Effect of Increases in Public Transport Fares and Higher COE Prices on Inflation in 2024

Public transport fare increases are projected to contribute 0.17 percentage point to core inflation in 2024, while the impact of COE price changes on inflation cannot be projected at this time.
The government is maintaining affordability through annual subsidies exceeding $2 billion and additional measures such as $300 million in 2024 subsidies and $50 Public Transport Vouchers for lower-income households.
Broader cost-of-living support includes a $1.1 billion package with cash payments, vouchers, and rebates, building on existing assistance from Budget 2023.
Support for businesses includes enhanced financing schemes to help manage cashflow and rising costs.
The government continues to monitor inflation pressures and implement measures to mitigate impacts on living and business costs.

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4 Oct 2023

Number of Singaporeans Who Are Able to Set Aside CPF Full Retirement Sum

The number of CPF members who set aside their Full Retirement Sum fully in cash each year from 2018 to 2022 ranged from about 17,000 to 19,700.
Approximately 6,800 to 7,100 CPF members set aside their Full Retirement Sum using a mixture of property and cash each year over the same period.
In 2022, about 13,400 active CPF members turning age 55 had not set aside the Full Retirement Sum in cash or a combination of cash and property.

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4 Oct 2023

Expansion of CPF Education Loan Scheme for Payment of Non-degree or Diploma Courses

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim proposed expanding the CPF Education Loan Scheme to include certification courses from approved institutions and non-degree courses from accredited foreign universities.
Minister Tan See Leng reaffirmed that CPF's primary purpose is to support retirement, healthcare, and housing, and the education loan scheme is strictly limited to basic tertiary education at local institutions to safeguard these core needs.
The Minister stated there are no plans to broaden the CPF Education Loan Scheme beyond current boundaries, encouraging use of alternative financing like study loans from financial institutions or SkillsFuture subsidies for shorter training courses.

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4 Oct 2023

Review of Financial Assistance Provided to Low-Income Families Given Minimum Income Standard Report 2023

Ang Wei Neng questioned whether the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) would adjust financial assistance to low-income families and conduct its own study on a living wage, referencing the Minimum Income Standard Report 2023 which suggested higher income thresholds than current ComCare criteria.
Senior Parliamentary Secretary Eric Chua replied that MSF regularly reviews assistance schemes using various data sources, but criticized the MIS report's methodology and aspirational focus, arguing ComCare targets basic needs while the report considers items beyond essentials.
Assoc Prof Jamus Lim highlighted discrepancies between MIS figures and ComCare support, questioning why items like mobile plans or perfumes are considered needs, with Chua responding that MSF includes digital connectivity as a basic need and shared anecdotes from low-income families.
Ang Wei Neng sought clarification on the minimum amount for elderly individuals, to which Chua stated MSF reviews needs periodically but did not provide a specific figure.
Pritam Singh asked if MSF provides higher assistance to families with full-time caregivers, and Chua confirmed that MSF assesses each household’s comprehensive situation before determining appropriate aid.

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4 Oct 2023

Expected Impact of Recent Announcement of Increase in Pricing Cap for School Bus Fares

The Ministry of Education increased the pricing cap for school bus fares by up to 13% from January 2024 to address rising costs and sustain operations, while expanding financial assistance schemes for low-income and special education students.
Education officials emphasized ongoing support through enhanced subsidies and school-level assistance, with plans to review and adjust measures as needed to prevent disruptions.
The debate highlighted concerns about limited bus options for students, particularly in special education, and called for further creative solutions and deeper ground understanding to assist affected families and schools.

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3 Oct 2023

Help for Employees Affected by Recent Retrenchments in Financial Services and Information and Communications Sectors

The Ministry of Manpower requires employers to submit retrenchment notices within five days, enabling timely employment facilitation support through the Taskforce for Responsible Retrenchment and Employment Facilitation.
Affected workers are offered career matching services, information kits, and access to government support, with around 70% of retrenched residents finding new employment within six months in 2022.
Workers can reskill through Workforce Singapore programmes like Career Conversion Programmes and Mid-Career Pathways, with nearly 100 options across 30 sectors.
Lower-income households can apply for ComCare Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance via Social Service Offices for help with basic living expenses.

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3 Oct 2023

Extension of Concessionary Migrant Domestic Worker Levy to Persons with Life-limiting Medical Conditions

Tan Wu Meng asked whether the concessionary migrant domestic worker levy can be extended to persons with life-limiting medical conditions who do not meet the age criteria.
The Ministry of Manpower clarified that employers already qualify for the concession if they live with family members who are young children, elderly persons, or individuals with serious medical conditions requiring help with at least one activity of daily living (ADL), without an age criterion.
Applications for the levy concession are assessed by the Agency for Integrated Care based on care needs, and employers who do not qualify can still hire a domestic worker at the standard levy rate.

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3 Oct 2023

Frequency of Government Reviews to Ensure Support Scheme Payouts Remain Adequate in Light of Inflationary Pressures

The Government regularly reviews social support schemes, factoring in macroeconomic trends such as inflation, with specific bodies like the Ministry of Social and Family Development and Ministry of Manpower conducting periodic assessments.
Payouts are not automatically indexed to inflation, but reviews consider price data, projected inflation, and expert consultations to adjust support appropriately, as seen in recent ComCare and Silver Support Scheme enhancements.
The Silver Support Scheme saw a 20% payout increase in 2021, with ongoing reviews planned, and the government has introduced new initiatives like the Majulah Package while providing targeted one-off support such as the $1.1 billion Cost-of-Living Support Package.

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3 Oct 2023

Cumulative Impact of Series of Price Increases on Households and Small Businesses

Liang Eng Hwa raised questions about the cumulative impact of price increases on households and small businesses, risks of an inflationary spiral, adequacy of government support, and potential further fiscal measures.
Lawrence Wong explained that the recent Cost-of-Living Support Package is designed to cushion the impact, with household inflation expected to rise by less than 0.3 percentage points and business operating costs by less than 0.1% due to specific price adjustments.
The government asserted that combined support measures would fully cover inflation-induced spending increases for lower-income households and substantially cover them for middle-income households, while maintaining a targeted approach to avoid fuelling inflation.
For businesses, support includes extended financing schemes and grants, with plans for further measures to aid transformation and efficiency to be announced in Budget 2024, as the government continues to monitor the situation.

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3 Oct 2023

Attract and Train More Manpower for Special Needs Care and Education Sector

The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), SG Enable, and the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) collaborate with agencies to attract manpower, with revised salary guidelines increasing recommended pay for sector professionals by 4% to 15% this year.
Training initiatives include a competency framework and roadmap by the Social Service SkillsFuture Tripartite Taskforce, programmes from the Social Service Institute and SG Enable’s Enabling Academy, and specific pathways for early intervention and special education professionals.
Community training focuses on caregivers, with SG Enable and the Agency for Integrated Care offering courses supported by the Caregivers Training Grant to help cover costs.
MSF and the Ministry of Education will continue working with stakeholders to attract and retain manpower while reviewing policies like the Journeys of Excellence Package for special education teachers.

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