Social welfare — Topics

6 Jul 2023

Review of Means-tested Thresholds for Annual Values of Properties Following Revision of Annual Values

Mr. Gerald Giam questioned why means-testing thresholds for healthcare subsidies haven't been raised despite IRAS's 2023 upward revision of property annual values (AVs) and asked why 2022 AVs are used instead of 2023 values for households with zero per capita income.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary confirmed that agencies continue using 2022 AVs for 2023 means-testing due to the recent revision, with a review of social support schemes planned later in the year, and assured that households with zero income will not be worse off even if their 2023 AV is unavailable.
Mr. Giam further asked whether households with minimal income (e.g., $1) are still subject to AV criteria, to which the response indicated that while a cut-off exists, assessments aim to be fair and non-draconian, with appeals and backend processes ensuring support for those in need.
The Ministry clarified that removing the AV component for low-income households is under broader consideration, but AV remains a proxy for means, and alternative non-means-tested support exists for seniors, such as higher outpatient subsidies and Pioneer/Merdeka Generation benefits.

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6 Jul 2023

HDB Flats with Annual Value of $13,000 or More

Gerald Giam asked the Minister for Finance for the number of HDB flats with an Annual Value (AV) of $13,000 or more, how many have zero per capita household income, and the figures for 2022 before AVs increased in 2023.
The Senior Minister of State for Finance replied that in 2022 all HDB flats had AVs below $13,000, but due to rising market rents, about 430,000 flats (40%) now have AVs of $13,000 or more.
An estimated 36,000 resident households with zero monthly income from work live in HDB flats with AVs of $13,000 or more.
The Ministry of Finance is using 2022 AVs for social support scheme eligibility and is reviewing AV thresholds to ensure needy Singaporeans receive appropriate support, with an update to come when ready.

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6 Jul 2023

Cost of Running Day Activity Centre Services for Adults with Disabilities

The per capita cost of running Day Activity Centre (DAC) services for adults with moderate to high needs varies by centre, while the average Government grant provided per client was about $14,000 in FY2022, with funding being tiered and means-tested.
A member highlighted that charities face funding challenges as costs can reach up to $30,000 per year, leading to fee caps that discourage higher-income households from using services, and proposed a workgroup to analyse and develop alternative financing models, such as a universal base subsidy.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary acknowledged the issues, noted the introduction of fee caps in October 2021, and mentioned the upcoming pilot of an Enabling Services Hub to provide learning, social activities, and respite care closer to communities.

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5 Jul 2023

Evaluating Prevailing Societal Values towards Single Unwed Parents and Adjusting Provision of Children-related Tax Reliefs for These Parents

Louis Ng asked the Ministry for Social and Family Development to assess prevailing societal views on single unwed parents and consider revising tax reliefs like the Working Mother’s Child Relief and Parenthood Tax Rebate for them.
The Minister responded that the government regularly updates policies based on changing societal norms, using statistical and survey data to gauge attitudes toward single unwed parents.
Single unwed parents already have access to all government benefits for their children, including subsidies for education, healthcare, childcare, infant care, and the Child Development Account.
Low-income single unwed parents can seek assistance from Social Service Offices, and the Ministry collaborates with community groups to bolster support for those in need.

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5 Jul 2023

Inclusion of Other Relatives under Sponsorship Scheme for Seniors with No Children or Siblings to Hire Migrant Domestic Workers

The Ministry of Manpower allows seniors aged 60 and above with no income or working adults in the household to hire a migrant domestic worker under a sponsorship scheme, requiring sponsors with direct familial relationships like children or siblings.
On a case-by-case basis, other relatives can be approved as sponsors after providing documentation explaining their circumstances and relationship to the senior.
For urgent needs due to declining health, the ministry expedites the approval process for such sponsorship applications.

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5 Jul 2023

Update on Enhancements to Single Room Shared Facilities Initiative

The Minister announced the pilot launch of the Single Room Shared Facilities initiative to provide more privacy and communal spaces for lower-income tenants, with applications opening in December 2023.
Suggestions received include amenities for shared facilities, measures to tackle social isolation, and community services, which will be incorporated where possible during the pilot phase.
The pilot will accommodate up to 480 individuals, and its scalability will be assessed after evaluating tenant interactions and the effectiveness of social support measures.
The Minister encouraged Members of Parliament to refer suitable residents for the pilot and highlighted ongoing efforts to integrate social services and community interventions.
The role of aesthetics in uplifting residents' spirits was discussed, with the Minister noting that feedback on design and community engagement was considered during consultations.

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5 Jul 2023

Projected Need for Informal Caregivers in Next 10 to 20 Years

The Ministry of Health highlighted current caregiver numbers and existing support schemes like the Home Caregiving Grant, while noting ongoing efforts to scale up aged care services and train care workers.
Proposals were made to explore micro-jobs and volunteering to engage seniors in caregiving, with the government open to considering such community-based models.
Carrie Tan called for an income supplement scheme for full-time caregivers and support for innovative home-care models, but the Ministry emphasized fiscal sustainability and the primacy of family-led care.
The debate underscored the need to balance support for informal caregivers with the government's broader healthcare and fiscal strategies.

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5 Jul 2023

Help for Home Owners to Assess if Their Homes Meet Requirement for Residual Current Circuit Breaker

The Government will assist homeowners, especially seniors and low-income families, by providing subsidies of up to 95% or full coverage for RCCB installation, with costs for 3-room and larger flats starting from as low as $25.
HDB and the Energy Market Authority are conducting door-to-door outreach and have set up helplines in multiple languages to help homeowners assess their circuit breakers and arrange installations.
For older HDB flats built before 1985, HDB will continue follow-up inspections and work with grassroots leaders to reach unresponsive residents, ensuring every home has a working RCCB by July 2025.

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4 Jul 2023

Harmonising Financial Support Schemes for Students in Institutes of Higher Learning

The Ministry ensures harmony by applying the same income eligibility criteria across all IHLs for Government bursaries, which are publicly communicated.
Institution-based financial aid criteria vary due to scheme nature, donor conditions, and fund availability, with no mandatory transparency requirement.
IHLs are encouraged to communicate their aid criteria, and students can consult their institution's financial aid office for options.
The Ministry does not require IHLs to disclose eligibility criteria for IHL-specific aid, citing varying factors as reasons.

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4 Jul 2023

Submission of Impact Assessment Reports by Family Service Centres to Monitor Efficacy in Usage of Funds Disbursed

Carrie Tan inquired whether Family Service Centres (FSCs) must submit impact assessment reports to monitor fund usage and if not, whether extra funding could be provided to support such assessments.
The Minister responded that FSCs are already accountable under existing funding agreements to meet service and governance standards, making additional impact assessments unnecessary.
The Minister noted that for non-government-funded programmes, the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) offers capability development initiatives to help agencies demonstrate impact, referring to a previous debate for details.

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4 Jul 2023

Minimising Impact of Rising Market Rental Values on Property Taxes

The Deputy Prime Minister explained that Property Tax is based on Annual Value, which fluctuates with market rental trends, and that 2023 saw increases due to both market movements and higher tax rates for high-value residential properties.
The government mitigated the impact by providing a 60% property tax rebate to all owner-occupied residential properties, capped at $60, resulting in modest monthly increases for HDB owners and under $50 monthly for most private property owners.
The government supports Singaporeans with higher living costs through direct measures like the Assurance Package and enhanced GST-Voucher scheme rather than by reducing property tax rates.

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4 Jul 2023

Amount of Support Provided to Seniors in Past Five Years

Between 2018 and 2022, the Government provided an estimated $25.7 billion in support to senior households, covering healthcare, social support, and housing-related transfers like the GST Voucher and Pioneer Generation Packages.
The Government has introduced cost-of-living support measures, including cash payments of up to $700, MediSave top-ups of up to $450, and further Assurance Package payouts in 2023 to help seniors cope with rising expenses.
To improve outreach, particularly for frail and solitary seniors, efforts include multi-channel publicity and leveraging Silver Generation Ambassadors as key contact points to connect seniors with financial, healthcare, and housing assistance.

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3 Jul 2023

Low Take-up Rate of Lift Access Housing Grant and Possibility of Converting Segmented Units into Rental Flats

Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim raised concerns about the low take-up rate of the Lift Access Housing Grant (LHG), with only 28 approved applications out of an estimated 2,000 affected HDB units as of December 2021, and sought updates and potential enhancements.
He also proposed that HDB purchase segmented units without lift access from owners and convert them into rental flats under the public housing rental scheme.
Minister Desmond Lee explained that the LHG is targeted at households with urgent medical or mobility needs, providing up to $30,000 for relocation to a flat with direct lift access, with a six-month period to sell the existing flat.
The Minister stated that HDB does not plan to buy back segmented units without lift access but will continue monitoring the situation and adjust policies as needed.

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3 Jul 2023

Single Room Shared Facilities Initiative

Minister Desmond Lee announced the launch of a Single Room Shared Facilities pilot to offer lower-income singles more private space and shared communal areas, aiming to reduce social isolation.
The pilot will repurpose the former Anderson Junior College hostel, refurbishing it into 480 single rooms from about 240 units.
HDB will open applications for the pilot in December 2023 to gauge public interest and demand.

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3 Jul 2023

Expanding CHAS Subsidies to Include Dental Treatments for Medical Reasons

Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked whether CHAS subsidies could be expanded to include dental treatments for medical reasons, such as non-aesthetic orthodontic procedures.
Ong Ye Kung explained that CHAS already covers certain dental procedures suitable for primary care, with complex cases like non-aesthetic orthodontics referred to national specialty dental centres for subsidised care.
The Ministry of Health will continue reviewing the subsidy framework to maintain affordability and accessibility of dental care.

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3 Jul 2023

Assistance for Elderly Living Alone on Installation of Residual Current Circuit Breakers

The Minister outlined that all residential premises must have Residual Current Circuit Breakers (RCCBs) installed by July 1, 2025, with a grace period and potential fines for non-compliance.
HDB has conducted door-to-door inspections and free RCCB installations for older 1-room and 2-room flats built before 1985, with follow-ups for non-responsive residents.
The government will collaborate with grassroots leaders to assist elderly residents who may struggle with understanding notifications or instructions regarding RCCB installation.

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3 Jul 2023

Budget Meal Options at Market and Food Stalls Sold to Private Owners

Chong Kee Hiong asked about measures to help residents in estates where market and food stalls are sold to private owners access budget meal options, especially low-income households.
Desmond Lee explained that HDB's Budget Meals initiative requires rental coffee shops renewing tenancies from May 2023 to offer budget meals, with all 374 such shops expected to comply by May 2026.
HDB has reached out to privately-owned coffee shops to voluntarily join the initiative and is studying regulatory options, such as linking budget meal provision to outdoor refreshment area approvals.

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3 Jul 2023

Enhancing Portability of Healthcare Subsidy and Financing to Better Support Singaporeans Needing Care

The Ministry of Health is enhancing the portability of healthcare subsidies and financing through multiple steps to support Singaporeans needing care in the community, including chronic care, home-based services, and telehealth.
From early 2024, eligible Healthier SG chronic enrollees can access means-tested subsidies of up to 75% for selected chronic medications at their enrolled general practitioner clinics, with prices comparable to polyclinics.
MediSave will be extended to MOH-funded home medical and nursing providers starting October 2023, and drug subsidies of at least 50% will be extended to all Singaporeans receiving long-term care from MOH-funded providers from the fourth quarter of 2024.
Subsidies and MediSave for video consultations for home palliative care have been extended since July 2023, and subsidies for chronic disease management via telehealth will be made permanent later this year.
The Ministry will take further steps in the coming months to continue improving the portability of healthcare financing and support.

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3 Jul 2023

Trial of Priority Cabins for Elderly on MRT Trains

The trial of priority cabins for the elderly and other groups like expectant mothers and persons with disabilities is under evaluation by the Land Transport Authority, considering post-pandemic travel patterns.
The trial has been on hold indefinitely due to COVID-19, but other initiatives like the Helping Hand scheme and Caring Commuter Champion programme are being promoted to support commuters with additional needs.
The government is considering extending priority beyond the elderly to include groups such as expectant mothers and persons with invisible medical conditions or temporary injuries.

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3 Jul 2023

Public Health Institutions Hiring Third Party Bill Collectors

Ng Ling Ling inquired about the number of public health institutions using third-party bill collectors and the processes for referring patients in genuine hardship to medical social workers.
Ong Ye Kung responded that most public healthcare institutions use third-party collectors and that these collectors provide contact details for medical social workers when patients express repayment difficulties.
The process involves social workers assessing patients' eligibility for financial assistance, but specific numbers of institutions using collectors were not provided in the summary.
The debate highlighted the need for clear procedures to support patients facing financial hardship while managing public health bill collections.
No further details were shared on the scale of third-party collector usage or the effectiveness of the referral system.

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