Social welfare — Topics

9 May 2022

Enrolments into Day Activity Centres and Plans to Cope with Increased Demand

Miss Cheryl Chan asked whether Day Activity Centres (DACs) can cope with demand over the next five years and what plans exist to reduce waiting times and increase staff support.
As of April 2022, there were 31 MSF-funded DACs with over 1,700 places and a 78% utilisation rate, though eight centres had no vacancies, with SG Enable referring applicants to other centres or alternative services.
MSF increased funding for DACs by about 20% ($3 million annually) to hire more care staff and improve service quality, especially for clients with higher needs.
MSF is studying long-term demand for DACs and will consider setting up new centres in areas where demand is expected to exceed supply.
MSF will continually monitor and review funding and programmes to meet the needs of persons with disabilities and their caregivers.

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5 Apr 2022

Conditions Exempted from Repeated Assessments for Disability Payouts under ElderShield

Yip Hon Weng asked about conditions exempted from repeated disability assessments under ElderShield, whether reassessments could be removed for permanent conditions like brain damage or end-stage Parkinson’s, and whether the grace period for reassessments could be extended due to healthcare manpower crunch from COVID-19.
Ong Ye Kung referred to a prior answer from 4 April 2022, indicating the question had already been addressed in the Official Report’s written answers.

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5 Apr 2022

Streamline Means-Testing Procedures and Submission of Documents for Public Assistance Applications and Renewals

Gerald Giam asked whether the government would streamline means-testing and reduce document submission for public assistance, using data sharing with applicant consent.
Masagos Zulkifli outlined ongoing efforts, such as backend data sharing with agencies like CPFP, HDB, and ICA, to minimize physical documents and repeated means-testing.
Since 2018, ComCare applicants can easily access adjacent financial schemes automatically, without extra forms or means-testing, and submit ComCare letters for other schemes.
Starting June 2022, ComCare families with school children automatically qualify for MOE FAS and MSF SCFA without separate applications, and online renewal via the SupportGoWhere portal will use Myinfo for auto-population and document submission.
The government plans to expand scheme bundles and onboard more schemes to the portal for comprehensive, convenient, and coordinated support.

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5 Apr 2022

Innovative Solutions for HDB Flats to Ensure Direct Lift Access to Every Floor Despite Flat Design

HDB has provided bubble lifts or machine-room-less lifts to about 270 blocks under the Lift Upgrading Programme, sometimes exceeding the cost cap to ensure direct lift access, but upgrading the remaining 150 blocks without access remains prohibitively expensive, with costs potentially exceeding $200,000 per household.
For residents in urgent need due to medical or mobility reasons, the Lift Access Housing Grant of up to $30,000 is available to buy another flat with direct lift access, with HDB providing grace periods and case-by-case extensions for selling the old flat.
The current method for calculating Lift Upgrading Programme benefits only counts units without direct lift access, though HDB continues to explore cost-reducing and alternative solutions to improve accessibility for the remaining blocks.

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5 Apr 2022

CPF Members with MediSave Contributions in Arrears and Proposed Waivers to Allow Them to Access Government Grants

Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for Manpower for statistics on CPF members with MediSave contributions in arrears, broken down by debt amounts, and how many in each category have met the minimum MediSave savings.
He also inquired about the number of appeals to waive MediSave contribution requirements for accessing government grants, the success rate of these appeals, and the reasons for unsuccessful cases.
The Minister responded that over 75% of Self-Employed Persons meet MediSave obligations on time, with about half of those in arrears owing less than $3,000, and most have not met the Basic Healthcare Sum.
The Minister noted that SEPs have up to two years to make contributions to qualify for schemes like Workfare, with less than 5% of Workfare appeals involving MediSave waiver requests, and the CPF Board offers flexible arrangements and case-by-case appeals.
The Minister also highlighted that individuals facing income loss can seek support through alternative schemes like the COVID-16 Recovery Grant and Social Service Offices.

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5 Apr 2022

Outlook for Gig and Platform Workers and Measures to Help Enhance Their Employability and CPF Savings

The Advisory Committee on Platform Workers is reviewing mandatory CPF contributions for gig workers, with early feedback from over 20,000 engaged workers showing 55% support, primarily for housing and retirement adequacy, while considering a phased implementation to manage cost impacts.
Platform workers, including delivery riders and drivers, face physically demanding roles with lower job protections, and while 80% view platform work as their preferred job, only 8% transitioned to permanent employment in 2021, with diverse demographics among those who moved.
The government acknowledges long-term employability concerns due to technological changes like drone delivery and physical demands on older workers, and offers career support through Workforce Singapore and NTUC, emphasizing skills upgrading and tailored interventions rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Data on platform workers, such as CPF contribution rates (estimated at about 45%) and ex-offender involvement, is limited due to casual and diverse work patterns, prompting efforts to improve data collection and design flexible support measures.
Stakeholders, including platform companies and workers, are engaged in discussions to balance protections like CPF contributions with concerns over take-home pay and business costs, with recommendations aimed at being practicable and sustainable.

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4 Apr 2022

Review of Household Income Ceiling for Enhanced CPF Housing Grant for Purchase of HDB Resale Flats for First-time Buyers to Enhance Housing Options for Young Couples

Murali Pillai asked the Minister for National Development to review the household income ceiling for the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG) to enhance housing options for young couples.
The EHG, introduced in September 2019, provides up to $80,000 for first-time buyers with household income up to $9,000 to purchase new or resale HDB flats.
The Government prioritizes housing subsidies for lower- and middle-income families, and the tiered EHG quantum offers more support for lower-income households.
First-time families earning between $9,000 and $14,000 still qualify for other subsidies, including CPF Housing Grant up to $50,000 and Proximity Housing Grant up to $30,000.
There are no plans to increase the EHG income ceiling, but the Government will continue monitoring market conditions to ensure housing affordability.

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4 Apr 2022

Increase in Number of Reported Incidents of Food-related Anaphylaxis in Children and Assistance for Those from Low-income Families

Dr Shahira Abdullah asked whether there has been an increase in reported food-related anaphylaxis incidents among children and if the Ministry will subsidise EpiPens for low-income families.
Ong Ye Kung confirmed an increase in inpatient admissions for food-related anaphylaxis in children aged 18 and below, from 49 in 2016 to 111 in 2020.
Epinephrine injections administered by physicians in public healthcare institutions are subsidised, but EpiPen auto-injectors are not currently eligible for drug subsidies.
Patients facing financial difficulties can seek assistance from medical social workers at public healthcare institutions for specific support.
The debate highlights concerns about rising anaphylaxis cases and the need for affordable access to life-saving medication for vulnerable families.

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4 Apr 2022

Disability Assessments for ElderShield Payouts

Don Wee asked the Minister for Health about the conditions for waiving disability assessments for ElderShield payouts and reducing the frequency of assessments for very severe cases.
Ong Ye Kung stated that ElderShield claimants assessed as permanently severely disabled generally do not need regular reassessments unless their condition changes.
After the transfer of ElderShield administration to the government in November 2021, a one-time disability status refresh is being conducted, and once completed, claimants will not require future regular reassessments.
Due to healthcare manpower shortages from COVID-19, the ministry extended the deadline for disability reassessments by three months, with claimants continuing to receive payouts during this period.

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4 Apr 2022

Additional Financial Resources for Cancer Patients to Draw on under Recommended Changes by MediShield Life Council

Ms Sylvia Lim asked whether cancer patients will have additional financial resources to cover cancer scan costs beyond the current $600 annual MediSave withdrawal limit under the new MediShield Life changes.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung stated that from September 2022, patients receiving cancer drug treatments can claim up to an additional $1,200 per year for outpatient costs like scans, separate from cancer drug treatment limits.
Patients undergoing radiotherapy can claim scan costs under radiotherapy limits ranging from $300 to $1,800 per treatment, while inpatient scans remain claimable under inpatient limits.
Those with Integrated Shield Plans may also claim scan costs from their IP where applicable, and Singaporeans facing financial difficulties can seek further assistance through MediFund.

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4 Apr 2022

Impact of Recent Global Events on Costs of Daily Necessities and Goods and Support Measures for Needy Singaporeans

Gerald Giam asked the Minister for Finance to detail any studies on how global events like rising commodity prices, inflation, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the COVID-19 pandemic might affect the cost of daily necessities and goods in Singapore.
He also inquired about additional government measures beyond the Assurance Package for the GST increase to help needy Singaporeans cope with rising costs of non-GST-related daily necessities.
Lawrence Wong responded that the question was addressed in a joint Ministerial Statement delivered on 4 April 2022, referencing an official report on inflation and business costs.

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4 Apr 2022

Participating Merchants under Community Development Council Vouchers Scheme

More than 14,500 heartland merchants and hawkers are participating in the CDC Vouchers Scheme three months after its launch.
CDC Ambassadors are actively engaging merchants and hawkers across a broad range of sectors to encourage participation.
Interested merchants can register online or through associations, with ambassadors continuing to visit heartlands to promote the scheme.

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4 Apr 2022

Home Care Services that Received ElderCare Fund Disbursements

The ElderCare Fund's interest income in FY 2020 was only sufficient to cover about 20% of the operating subsidies for intermediate and long-term care services, with the remaining 80% funded by the government budget, and the disbursements for home care services included home medical, nursing, personal care, and therapy.
The low disbursement quantum is due to the fund's current interest income being insufficient to fully cover the annual operating subsidies for ILTC services, making it premature to consider using the fund for other purposes beyond these subsidies.
The government has implemented alternative support measures for informal caregivers, such as the Home Caregiving Grant (which will be increased in early 2023), the Seniors’ Mobility and Enabling Fund, and other schemes like CareShield Life, ElderShield, and MediSave Care.

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4 Apr 2022

Additional Cost of Implementing Multi-tiered GST for Exemption of Basic Necessities

Hazel Poa asked about the additional cost of implementing a multi-tiered GST to exempt basic necessities, and Lawrence Wong responded that Singapore already achieves multi-tier effective GST rates through GST Vouchers and GST absorption on subsidized services, which targets low-income households more effectively than blanket exemptions.
Wong noted that exemptions for essential goods tend to benefit higher-income households more, as they consume more of all goods, and such a move would not enhance GST fairness; he also highlighted that businesses and IRAS would pass implementation costs to Singaporeans.
He cited European and Swedish studies showing multi-rate GST systems increase compliance costs, disproportionately burden SMEs, and lead to higher fraud and disputes, with Sweden estimating a 30% compliance cost reduction from switching to a single rate.
The Swedish study also estimated around S$146 million in public and private sector resources spent on GST dispute cases, underscoring the inefficiencies of multi-rate systems.

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4 Apr 2022

Removal of Maximum Annual Subsidy Cap under Seniors Mobility and Enabling Fund to Support Low-income Patients

Murali Pillai queried if the Ministry of Health would review the annual subsidy cap under the Seniors Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF) and consider removing the minimum age criterion of 60 for eligible patients.
Ong Ye Kung explained that SMF offers means-tested subsidies for consumables and assistive devices, with caps set at $1,200 and $2,000 per year, noting that over 80% of clients have not fully used their subsidies in the past three years.
The Ministry stated it will continue monitoring subsidy usage trends to ensure seniors' needs are met, while also highlighting alternative support schemes like the Home Caregiving Grant, CareShield Life, ElderShield, and MediSave Care.

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4 Apr 2022

Rejections of Applications to Renew Social Service Office Support

The Minister reported a slight increase in ComCare rejection rates for both long-term and short-to-medium-term assistance from 2020 to 2021, while the number of individuals served also rose.
The top three reasons for rejections were applicants having sufficient stable income, applicants withdrawing their applications, and failure to submit required supporting documents.
Additional temporary financial support schemes were provided during the pandemic, assisting a large number of individuals, and Social Service Offices guide ineligible applicants to other support channels.

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4 Apr 2022

Review of ComCare Payouts Given Inflation

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked if ComCare payouts and eligibility criteria will be reassessed and expedited due to rising inflation.
Masagos Zulkifli B M M stated that ComCare assistance is tailored to needs, with reviews every two to three years considering inflation and stakeholder input, and the next review is due mid-year.
The minister announced that additional support measures for low-income households, including potential payout adjustments and administrative flexibilities, will be detailed after a joint Ministerial Statement on inflation.

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4 Apr 2022

Public Transport Vouchers to Encourage More to Switch to Public Transport Given Spike in Oil Prices

The Minister for Transport, S Iswaran, noted that public transport remains affordable, making up only 2% to 3% of household expenditure for lower-income groups over the past five years, supported by over $2 billion in annual government subsidies and additional discounts for students, seniors, and persons with disabilities.
Targeted support is provided through Public Transport Vouchers (PTVs), with 600,000 vouchers worth $30 each available in the 2021 exercise, and about 300,000 households have already received them, with a second round from April 2022 for low-income households.
Households in need can obtain PTVs from community centres or clubs until 31 October 2022, ensuring assistance is accessible to those who require it.

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4 Apr 2022

Clarification by Member

Ms He Ting Ru clarified a resident's struggle with out-of-pocket medical costs despite MediSave and subsidies, leading to a request for a $500 higher claim limit.
She noted the resident considered cutting back on medications due to affordability issues, possibly from lack of awareness or confidence in applying for help.
The Senior Minister of State for Health suggested CPF might not be the correct channel for such referrals and highlighted alternative support like subsidized medications and generational subsidies.
The Minister offered to review the specific case details if provided, to explore available resources and ensure the patient receives necessary care.
Both parties agreed to share further details to address the resident's situation effectively.

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4 Apr 2022

Inflation and Business Costs

The Minister for Finance outlined that global inflation is driven by post-pandemic demand surges, supply chain disruptions, and the Ukraine conflict, which has spiked energy and food prices, and he announced the early disbursement of budget measures like CDC vouchers and utility rebates to help households, while ruling out fuel duty cuts as they would disproportionately benefit car owners and undermine green transition efforts.
The Second Minister for Trade and Industry detailed measures to manage energy costs, including securing electricity supply through LNG facilities and extending support schemes for businesses, while emphasizing the need for energy efficiency and diversification of energy sources to enhance long-term resilience.
The government will monitor the economic situation closely and stand ready to provide further assistance if needed, while urging businesses and households to adapt through transformation and productivity improvements to withstand external shocks and sustain income growth.

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