Social welfare — Topics

9 Nov 2022

Public Trustee's Role in Assisting Caregivers of Individuals without Lasting Powers of Attorney to Access Government Grants

Murali Pillai asked whether the Public Trustee could help caregivers access government grants for mentally disabled individuals who lack Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA).
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary explained that government payouts go directly to individuals' bank accounts, and without an LPA, deputyship is needed to protect against unauthorized withdrawals, with simplified processes available via the Family Justice Courts and DBS for emergency funds.
The government will consider streamlining grant access at the scheme level and study the Public Trustee’s potential role, while strongly encouraging the public to make LPAs through an upcoming online portal with extended fee waivers.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

8 Nov 2022

Help for Senior Citizens to Apply for BTO Flats

Senior citizens aged 55 and above can apply for 2-room Flexi flats with short leases, regardless of past housing subsidies, with at least 40% of such flats in BTO projects reserved for them.
In 2022, about 5,200 seniors (80% of applicants) had previously received housing subsidies, and 2,000 (30%) were unsuccessful, often due to high demand in Sale of Balance Flats exercises.
Schemes like the Senior Priority Scheme, Multi-Generation Priority Scheme, and Community Care Apartments support seniors in living near family or aging in place.
Financial assistance includes the Silver Housing Bonus of up to $30,000 and deferred downpayments, alongside public outreach programs to inform seniors of available options.
Seniors needing further help are encouraged to approach HDB for personalized assistance.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

8 Nov 2022

Adequacy of Rare Disease Fund in Supporting Applicants

Leon Perera inquired about the number of applications received by the Rare Disease Fund (RDF) since April 2021, the ratio of applicants to grants, and the availability of funds for new applicants.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung stated that the RDF has received six applications since April 2021, all of which are currently supported, with sufficient funds available and seven medicines listed for five conditions.
The RDF operates as an endowed fund with a "listing" approach, focusing on medicines that meaningfully extend life expectancy and improve quality of life, but does not support non-listed medications.
The government provides a 3:1 matching grant for donations to the RDF, and efforts are ongoing to expand the fund’s scope while acknowledging the challenges of supporting high-cost treatments with uncertain efficacy.
The debate highlighted the need for careful review of government support for rare disease treatments and encouraged public donations to increase the RDF's capacity.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

8 Nov 2022

Pegging Cost-of-Living Support to Numbers in Households

Gan Thiam Poh suggested reviewing cost-of-living support to be based on household size to better assist larger low- and middle-income families with children.
Lawrence Wong explained that current schemes use a mix of individual and household criteria, with measures like CDC vouchers and education subsidies already accounting for family sizes.
The government provides targeted support such as cash payouts, education top-ups, and lowered childcare fees, while continuously reviewing criteria to ensure assistance reaches those with greater needs.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Nov 2022

Average Balance in Singaporeans' MediSave and Retirement Accounts at Death

Desmond Choo asked about the average balance in Singaporeans' CPF MediSave and Retirement Accounts at the point of death over the last decade.
Tan See Leng noted that averages can be skewed by a small group with high balances and presented median balances for those aged 65 and older, as well as 85 and older, who passed away in the last 10 years.
The balances at death vary based on factors like lifespan and individual CPF usage, and any remaining CPF savings are distributed to beneficiaries in cash via nomination or the Public Trustee's Office.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Nov 2022

Provision of Interim Rental Subsidies to Singaporeans Eligible for Public Rental Flats But Not Allocated Yet

Gerald Giam asked whether the Ministry would consider interim rental subsidies for Singaporeans eligible for public rental flats but not yet allocated due to supply constraints.
Desmond Lee responded that all eligible applicants are eventually allocated a flat and those with urgent needs are prioritized, so interim subsidies are not planned.
He noted that direct rental subsidies could inflate rents, making it costlier for others to rent on the open market.
HDB will continue assessing applicants’ circumstances and providing assistance where needed.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Nov 2022

Price Trend and Affordability of Top 10 Drugs on Cancer Drug List and Non-Cancer Drug List

The average cost prices of the top 10 drugs by spending in the public sector remained relatively constant between 2017 and 2021, with a few experiencing price drops.
Comparing prices with other countries is not meaningful as pharmaceutical companies set prices based on market size, income levels, and government policies.
The government ensures competitive procurement through ALPS and the Agency for Care Effectiveness to aggregate demand and negotiate lower prices.
Subsidies of up to 75% are provided for clinically- and cost-effective drugs, with additional support for Pioneers and Merdeka Generation seniors and MediFund for those facing financial difficulties.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Nov 2022

Provision of Employment and Psychological Support for Persons with Epilepsy

Mr Christopher de Souza raised a query in Parliament about providing employment and psychological support for persons with epilepsy.
Minister Ong Ye Kung responded that medical social workers offer social, emotional, psychoeducational support, and employment referrals to agencies like Workforce Singapore and NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute.
Psychological support is available for those with cognitive or mental health issues through psychologists who assess and advise on interventions.
Support groups and community organisations provide networking and mutual support for individuals with epilepsy, caregivers, and families.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Nov 2022

Average Waiting Time for Car Park Label Scheme for Persons with Physical Disabilities

Over the past three years, more than 90% of applicants received a parking label within 15 working days after submitting a complete application, with approvals typically granted within six working days.
Applicants can start using accessible parking lots upon approval without waiting for the physical label, but SG Enable is exploring technological solutions to replace or complement the current physical label.
SG Enable encourages the use of its eService to reduce processing time, as it guides applicants to submit complete information and requires less backend administrative work compared to email or post submissions.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Nov 2022

Classification and Eligibility for ComCare Assistance

Murali Pillai queried the decline in ComCare Long-Term Assistance (LTA) and rise in Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance (SMTA) from 2017 to 2021, asking about long-term SMTA renewals, reasons for not considering LTA, and steps to ensure proper classification.
Masagos Zulkifli explained that SMTA numbers increased in 2020 due to COVID-19 economic impacts and flexibility from Social Service Offices, while LTA decreased partly due to more employment and senior support schemes like Silver Support.
He detailed that LTA is for those permanently unable to work with little means and family support, while SMTA is for households with temporary or changing circumstances, and renewal beyond three years does not indicate misclassification.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Nov 2022

Financial Assistance for Singaporeans Suffering from Psoriasis as Side Effect of COVID-19 Vaccination

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked if the Ministry of Health could extend financial assistance to Singaporeans with psoriasis as a side effect of COVID-19 vaccination, even without hospitalization or permanent disability.
Ong Ye Kung stated that eligibility for the Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Programme is determined by an independent clinical panel considering the cause and severity of side effects.
The panel reviews cases not hospitalized but requiring long-term follow-up, including skin conditions, on a case-by-case basis for possible assistance.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Nov 2022

Reasons for Public Transport Fare Hikes and Help for Lower-Income Singaporeans

Mohd Fahmi Aliman asked about the number of public transport fare hikes in the past two years, the underlying reasons for these increases, and whether additional long-term measures would be implemented to help lower-income Singaporeans beyond one-off vouchers.
S Iswaran acknowledged the question and indicated he would provide a detailed reply at the 8 November 2022 Parliament sitting, referencing an official report on the 2022 fare review exercise.
The debate focused on the impact of fare adjustments on lower-income households and the need for sustained support measures to alleviate financial burdens.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Nov 2022

Promoting Employment of Persons with Disabilities

The Open Door Programme has 2,268 registered employers as of October 2022, with 23% having hired persons with disabilities, while others may face hiring freezes or lack suitable candidates.
Key initiatives supporting employment include the Enabling Employment Credit for wage offsets, the Jobs Growth Incentive for salary support, and Place-and-Train and Attach-and-Train programmes offering customised employment and skills training.
Additional efforts feature transition-to-work programmes like School-to-Work, the Enabling Mark accreditation for inclusive employers, and a multi-stakeholder task force under the Enabling Masterplan 2030 to enhance opportunities.
The government aims to achieve 40% employment for working-age persons with disabilities by 2030, emphasising employer participation and inclusive societal vision.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Nov 2022

Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill

Lawrence Wong defended the GST increase by arguing it is not regressive in Singapore due to permanent offsets like the GST Voucher and Assurance Package, which delay the financial impact on most households until around 2030 and ensure lower-income families pay little to no effective GST.
He emphasized that the broader GST system, combined with targeted support, ensures high-income households, foreigners, and tourists bear most of the burden, making it a fair and sustainable way to fund future needs like healthcare without over-relying on volatile revenues or raising other taxes.
In clarifications, Wong addressed concerns about fiscal outturn, NIRC contributions, and GST exemptions, noting that revenues and spending have risen, NIRC is expected to keep pace with growth, and expanding exemptions would complicate the system like in other countries.
He rejected calls to delay or pause the GST hike, stating the Assurance Package already provides longer relief, and dismissed multi-tiered GST systems as ineffective based on global studies, favoring Singapore’s income-tiered approach.
Leong Mun Wai pressed questions on NIRC allocation and HDB grants, but Wong clarified all revenues are pooled into a consolidated fund with no hypothecation, and any surpluses are prudently set aside for long-term needs like climate adaptation.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Nov 2022

Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill

The Bill will increase the GST from 7% to 8% in 2023 and to 9% in 2024 to fund rising healthcare and social spending, with the government emphasizing that the Assurance Package and permanent GST Vouchers will offset the impact for lower- and middle-income households for at least five to ten years.
The opposition, including the Workers’ Party and Progress Singapore Party, argued the GST hike is ill-timed due to high inflation and economic uncertainty, proposing alternatives like raising the Net Investment Returns Contribution or land sales revenues instead.
The government defended the hike as necessary for long-term fiscal sustainability, countering that alternatives either reduce reserves for future generations or are insufficient, while highlighting measures to curb profiteering and support vulnerable groups.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Nov 2022

Take-up of Lease Buyback Scheme

The Lease Buyback Scheme has seen about 9,200 households participate since 2009, with the government expanding eligibility and increasing bonuses to encourage take-up, while noting seniors have other options like downsizing or renting.
Concerns about outliving the 30-year lease are addressed by the government's assurance that it will provide housing support and a "Home for Life" requirement to ensure residents can stay until at least age 95.
To promote the scheme, HDB conducts outreach through media, talks, exhibitions, and personalized financial counseling sessions, while acknowledging some seniors prefer other monetisation options like right-sizing or renting.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Nov 2022

Assisting More Seniors to Make Lasting Power of Attorney

The Ministry has waived the $75 fee for Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) applications since 2013, leading to a significant increase in registrations from 2,200 in 2013 to over 32,000 in 2021, with nearly 95% of all registrations benefiting from the waiver.
A new digital service, OPGO, will launch on 14 November 2022 with user-friendly features and multilingual support to assist seniors, alongside community outreach through ServiceSG Centres, Senior Activity Centres, and hospitals to provide in-person help.
The Ministry will run a publicity campaign from 2023 to 2025 with Silver Generation Ambassadors to promote LPA and advance care planning, and will consider a cost-effective mailing exercise to reach seniors.
Members suggested mailing LPA information to all seniors, creating a pre-screened list of donees for single elderly, extending the fee waiver indefinitely, and training Silver Generation Ambassadors on LPA outreach; the Minister responded that these suggestions will be studied and incorporated as needed.
The Ministry tracks LPA registrations by age group and emphasizes the importance of early planning, encouraging family members and the public to promote LPA to seniors to ensure better preparation for future mental capacity loss.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

20 Oct 2022

Extending Validity Period of CDC Vouchers Scheme

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked whether the validity of the CDC Vouchers Scheme could be extended beyond 31 December 2022.
Edwin Tong Chun Fai stated that all households are encouraged to use the vouchers before the expiry date.
The CDC Vouchers for 2021 and 2022 will expire on 31 December 2022 as scheduled.
A new round of CDC Vouchers will be disbursed to every Singaporean household in early 2023.
The exchange indicates no extension of the current expiry date but confirms an upcoming disbursement.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

20 Oct 2022

Appeals for Eligibility for CDC Vouchers

Edwin Tong responded to Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim's query by stating that every Singaporean household is eligible for $100 CDC vouchers in 2021 and another $100 in 2022, with appeals allowed for those unable to claim, such as due to shared rental addresses or new moves.
Appeals are generally approved if appellants are from different households and have not previously claimed, with about 1,200 successful appeals per tranche, representing approximately 0.1% of the 1.22 million households.
Common grounds for appeals include multiple households at one address or changes in residence, and these can be submitted at any community centre or club.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

20 Oct 2022

Provision of Stable Temporary Housing for Unwed Parents and Victim-survivors of Family Violence

The Minister noted that HDB does not separately track waiting times for divorced or unwed parents, with the average wait for a public rental flat being about eight months, and it will expedite allocations for those in urgent need due to family violence.
Social services provide immediate shelter options through Transitional Shelters and Crisis Shelters for unwed parents and family violence survivors, with no cap on stay duration and support to secure longer-term housing.
The government encourages reliance on existing family and friend support networks to minimize disruption, but highlighted that those in need should contact Social Service Offices, Family Service Centres, or the ComCare hotline for help.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source