Social welfare — Topics

5 Jul 2022

Waiving of Cremation Fees for Individuals on Public Assistance Who Passed Away Without Next-of-kin

Joan Pereira asked if the Ministry would waive cremation fees for deceased individuals on public assistance who have no next-of-kin to handle their affairs.
Grace Fu Hai Yien stated that cremation costs at government crematoria have been kept affordable at $100 since 1997.
She noted that financial support for such cases exists through public, private, and social service sources, including probono assistance from welfare services.

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5 Jul 2022

Waiting Time for Placement in Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children

As of end-2021, around 2,400 special needs children were on the waitlist for government-funded early intervention (EI) centres under the EIPIC programme.
The average waiting time from referral to enrolment in 2021 was about seven months, with older children aged five to six prioritised.
To reduce waiting times, the government is streamlining processes, expanding the number of private EI centres under the PPIP programme, and opening two new EI centres by mid-2023.

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5 Jul 2022

Use of MediSave by Senior Citizens for Payment of Anti-glaucoma Medication

Joan Pereira asked if senior citizens could use MediSave to pay for anti-glaucoma medication.
Ong Ye Kung responded that seniors aged 60 and above can already use up to $300 per year of their MediSave for glaucoma medication at public institutions and CHAS clinics, with costs typically $20–$30 monthly after subsidies.
The Ministry stated it will continue reviewing healthcare financing schemes to balance affordability and ensure savings for future healthcare needs.

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5 Jul 2022

Adequacy of CPF Basic Retirement Sum to Provide for Minimum Retirement Needs of Seniors and Ensure Decent Quality of Life

Mr. Gan Thiam Poh questioned whether studies assess if the CPF Basic Retirement Sum (BRS) meets minimum retirement needs and if the government has defined adequacy goals or long-term plans for seniors.
Mr. Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked how the 3.5% annual BRS increase from 2023 to 2027 is determined, what caused the rise from 3%, and what long-term inflation assumptions are used.
Minister Tan See Leng explained that the BRS is based on lower-middle retiree household expenses, long-term inflation, and living standards, with the 3.5% increase reflecting strong past economic growth and higher monthly payouts projected for future cohorts.
The minister noted that CPF is one of several retirement funding sources, with BRS attainment seen as an adequacy indicator, and measures like the Matched Retirement Savings Scheme and Silver Support provide additional support for seniors.
The government plans to continue enhancing retirement adequacy through policies like raising retirement ages and CPF contribution rates for older workers, with ongoing reviews to meet seniors' needs.

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4 Jul 2022

Utilisation of First Tranche of $100 CDC Vouchers by Elderly Households

About 96% of Singaporean households claimed the first tranche of $100 CDC vouchers as of June 2022, with 80.3% of the total value spent.
The vouchers were launched in December 2021 to thank citizens for solidarity during the pandemic and to support heartland merchants and hawkers.
The Ministry does not collect specific data on the claim or utilisation rates for elderly households, as the CDCs do not gather information on household demographics or the age of heads of households.

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4 Jul 2022

Singaporeans Approaching Credit Counselling Singapore for Assistance in Past Three Years and Adequacy of Resources and Capabilities Available

Mr Saktiandi Supaat inquired about the trend in Singaporeans seeking credit counselling from CCS over the past three years and the adequacy of resources and capabilities.
Minister Edwin Tong stated that CCS, a registered charity, has not observed any increase in borrowers seeking assistance between 2019 and 2021.
The Minister highlighted that the Commissioner of Charities supports charities like CCS through grants such as the Charities Capability Fund to improve productivity and operational efficiency.

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4 Jul 2022

Appropriateness of People's Association Making Donations to Charities

Leong Mun Wai questioned whether the People’s Association donates to charities and if such donations are appropriate.
Edwin Tong clarified that PA does not use government funding for donations but collaborates with partners for fundraising.
PA engages in fundraising with corporate and community partners for causes aligned with its objectives.

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4 Jul 2022

Take-up Rates for Various Digital Support Programmes and Ensuring Availability of Digital Learning Devices for Students

Several MPs raised questions about the percentage of students in rental flats without digital devices or internet access, the take-up rates of IMDA’s digital support programmes, and the projected timeline for reaching vulnerable households.
The Minister noted that over 90% of low-income households with school-going children have computer access, and IMDA’s NEU PC Plus and Home Access programmes supported 39,000 households from 2020 to 2022, with increased outreach through pre-qualification and collaboration with social agencies.
The government is working to streamline applications, enhance programme offerings, and strengthen inter-Ministry efforts to reduce the digital divide across income brackets.

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4 Jul 2022

Number of Applications and Quantum of Cash Bonus Disbursed under Silver Housing Bonus Scheme in Past Five Years

Don Wee asked the Minister for National Development for the number of applications and cash bonus quantum disbursed under the Silver Housing Bonus scheme over the past five years.
Desmond Lee responded that the figures are available in Table 1, covering households that took up the scheme and the total cash bonuses given each year.
The debate focused on providing statistical data on the scheme’s usage and financial disbursements over the specified period.

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4 Jul 2022

Possibility of Differentiated Subsidies for Healthcare for Expecting Foreign Spouses of Singapore Citizens

Tin Pei Ling asked if differentiated healthcare subsidies could be provided to expecting foreign spouses of Singapore citizens for gynaecological care.
The Health Minister explained that subsidies are currently based on individual citizenship status, not spouse’s status, but Long-Term Visit Pass-Plus (LTVP+) holders receive subsidies at PR levels for inpatient services including obstetrics and gynaecology since 2012.
Singapore citizens and PRs can use MediSave to cover pre-delivery and delivery expenses for their foreign spouses up to prevailing withdrawal limits.
Financially needy patients may seek help from medical social workers for assistance, charity funds, or instalment plans based on assessment.

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4 Jul 2022

Enhancing Availability and Affordability of Seamless Wheelchair-accessible Travel Options and Expanding List of Eligible Destinations Beyond Hospitals

Yip Hon Weng asked the Ministry of Health to collaborate with private-hire platforms to improve the availability and affordability of wheelchair-accessible transport and to extend eligible destinations beyond hospitals.
The Government supports seniors and wheelchair users through subsidized services like the Medical Escort and Transport scheme and VWO transport subsidies for programs.
Private operators offer point-to-point services, but their availability and pricing depend on business decisions, and MOH will monitor options to ensure accessibility.

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4 Jul 2022

Transport Subsidy Applications to SGEnable and Success Rate between 2018 and 2021

Between 2018 and 2021, SG Enable received an average of 20 applications per year for the Taxi Subsidy Scheme, with over 13 successful and more than six rejected annually due to factors like ability to use public transport, misuse of subsidies, failing means tests, or receiving other transport support.
The Voluntary Welfare Organisation Transport Subsidy Scheme (renamed Enabling Transport Subsidy) benefits about 5,000 persons with disabilities annually, though the number of applications submitted to Social Service Agencies is not tracked.
Subsidies under the renamed Enabling Transport Subsidy were increased from 1 July 2022 to support over 3,000 additional persons with disabilities.

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4 Jul 2022

Proportion of Children Aged Four Enrolled in Preschool, Target Enrolment and Plans to Include Them in MOE Kindergartens

Mariam Jaafar inquired about the proportion of four-year-olds enrolled in preschool across income levels, the Government's target enrolment rates, and plans to include four-year-olds in MOE Kindergartens.
Masagos Zulkifli stated that in 2021, preschool participation for children aged three to four in public rental flats was 80%, slightly below the national average of 88%, and that the Government focuses on ensuring access to affordable quality preschools rather than setting specific targets.
He noted that lower-income families receive automatic eligibility for maximum subsidies and programs like KidSTART support enrolment from age three.
Regarding MOE Kindergartens, there are no plans to expand them to include four-year-olds; instead, MOE is piloting an MK-Early Years Centre model with Anchor Operators to provide preschool education from two months to six years.

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4 Jul 2022

Proportion of ComCare Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance Applicants Rejected in Last Three Months and Adjustment of Threshold Eligibility Criteria

Sylvia Lim asked about the proportion of ComCare Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance applicants rejected in the last three months and whether eligibility criteria would be adjusted for rising living costs.
The rejection rate for the most recent three months was about 35%, similar to the 34% rate in 2021.
ComCare eligibility is based on income assessed holistically by Social Service Offices, with regular reviews of criteria, including one planned later this year.
The government is addressing cost-of-living pressures through the Household Support Package, including CDC Vouchers and additional GST Voucher-U-Save rebates.

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4 Jul 2022

Domestic, Family or Sexual Violence Cases Reported Annually Involving Boys Above 18 and Below 21 Years Old in Past Five Years and Assistance or Interim Shelters Available for Them

An average of about 65 family violence reports and 15 sexual violence reports per year from 2020 to 2021 involved male victims aged 18 to 20, with annual details provided in a table.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development funds shelters that offer alternative accommodation for such victims, including those in the 18 to 20 age group.
Boys in this age range may also access financial assistance through Social Service Offices and further support like counselling from Family Service Centres or Family Violence Specialist Centres.

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4 Jul 2022

Reclassifying Training Officers in Day Activity Centres as Instructors Instead of Nurse Aides/Care Staff Given Nature of Job Scope

Christopher de Souza asked if training officers in Day Activity Centres should be classified as instructors rather than nurse aides/care staff to align with better remuneration under social service sector salary guidelines.
The Minister for Social and Family Development explained that Day Activity Centres support persons with disabilities through social and recreational activities, so staff are classified as "social service assistant and care staff," not "workshop instructors."
The "workshop instructor" category applies only to staff in Sheltered Workshops who provide work skills training to persons not ready for open employment, which differs from the DAC scope.
Salary guidelines by the National Council of Social Service are based on comparable market wages and are reviewed regularly to keep pace with broader labour market trends.
The classification and resource allocation for DACs are determined by client profiles and required manpower, with no immediate change proposed for training officer roles.

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4 Jul 2022

Number of Households with GST Voucher-U-Save Net Balances of More Than $20 by HDB Flat Type

About 6% of HDB households, or 60,673, had GST Voucher-U-Save balances exceeding $20 as at 31 March 2022.
A higher proportion of 1- and 2-room HDB households have balances above $20 due to receiving larger rebates and lower utilities bills.
The $20 threshold represents roughly a quarter of the average monthly utilities bill for these households.
Households can continue using their U-Save balances to offset future utilities expenses.
A detailed breakdown by HDB flat type is provided in Table 1 of the Minister's response.

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4 Jul 2022

Impact of ComCare Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance Revisions on Number of Families Receiving Help and Proposal for Simplified Process in Determining Assistance Amount

Ms Mariam Jaafar asked about the number of ComCare SMTA households not due for renewal by September 2022, the possibility of extending revised assistance rates to existing families, and how to simplify the assistance determination process.
Minister Masagos Zulkifli responded that about 1,800 households (12% of SMTA recipients) will see their assistance end after September 2022, with resources redirected based on reassessed needs, and noted temporary measures already provide higher assistance to existing clients.
The government has simplified ComCare applications via the SupportGoWhere portal, allowing online submissions with MyInfo, while maintaining in-person options at Social Service Offices for those unable to apply online.

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4 Jul 2022

Inclusion of Headcount as Criterion in Determining Support for Large Families Residing in Private Estate Homes

Henry Kwek proposed considering headcount in private estate homes to better support large families when determining taxes and financial support.
Lawrence Wong explained that current schemes already factor in family size, using measures like Per Capita Household Income and providing higher tax reliefs for dependents and children.
He noted that broader government support for healthcare and education is provided on an individual basis, which naturally benefits larger families.
The government remains committed to reviewing support criteria to ensure assistance targets those with greater needs.
Existing tax and social policies aim to balance support across different living arrangements, including private estate residents.

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4 Jul 2022

Annual Amount Disbursed from One-off Baby Support Grant and Proposal for Further Support Given Rising Cost of Living

He Ting Ru inquired about the annual disbursement of the $3,000 one-off Baby Support Grant and whether further support would be provided for families amid rising living costs.
Indranee Rajah stated the grant disbursed $92 million in its first year and $69 million in its second, noting it was a one-off COVID-19 measure complemented by broader family support packages.
The government has introduced comprehensive measures including CDC vouchers, U-Save rebates, and a $200 top-up for children’s accounts to alleviate cost-of-living pressures.
A recent $1.5 billion Support Package offers additional targeted aid, such as GST Voucher cash payments and utility credits, with ongoing monitoring to assess further needs.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Singaporeans in marriage and parenthood through continuous review of family-oriented policies.

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