Social welfare — Topics

13 Sep 2021

Proposal to Modify Eligibility of COVID-19 Recovery Grant from Current Percentage-based Model to Absolute Loss of Income for Low-wage Workers

Dr Shahira Abdullah proposed shifting the COVID-19 Recovery Grant eligibility from a percentage-based income loss model to an absolute loss criterion for low-wage workers.
The Minister explained that the current percentage-based model (requiring at least 50% income loss) better targets those with lesser means, as it ensures assistance goes to individuals regardless of their pre-loss income level.
The Minister noted that an absolute loss criterion could be less advantageous for low-wage workers, as higher-income individuals might qualify with a smaller relative loss.
The government encourages those in need but not meeting CRG criteria to approach Social Service Offices for assessment and potential alternative assistance like ComCare.

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13 Sep 2021

Proposal to Revise Government Bursary Quantum for Higher Education to Help Low-income Youths who Study Part-time and Work to Support their Family

Dr Shahira Abdullah proposed that the Ministry of Education increase government bursaries to fully cover tuition fees for low-income part-time students who work to support their families.
The Minister highlighted that Singaporean part-time students already receive substantial subsidies and enhanced bursaries since 2020, with fees after aid ranging from $140 to $2,300 annually, payable via Post-Secondary Education Account, SkillsFuture Credit, or government loans.
The government commits to regularly reviewing bursaries to ensure they remain adequate for students' needs.

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13 Sep 2021

Measures to Mitigate Overall Increase in Costs of Living on Wage Increments for Low-wage Workers

The Government employs a multi-pronged approach to manage cost of living pressures, including for low-wage workers, by keeping the economy competitive to create good jobs and sustain income growth through productivity schemes like the Productivity Solutions Grant.
It promotes competition in markets and diversifies supply sources, such as for food, to prevent sharp price increases and ensure competitive prices for Singaporeans.
The Government moderates business cost increases by managing domestic supply-side constraints, like ensuring adequate industrial and commercial space, to relieve price and rental pressures that affect consumers.
Assistance through ComCare continues to be provided to low-income and vulnerable Singaporeans to help with daily living expenses, while policies are monitored and adjusted as needed.

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13 Sep 2021

Assistance for Sex Workers under COVID-19 Support Schemes and Help with Other Forms of Work to Prevent Them from Turning to Underground Prostitution

The Minister confirmed that COVID-19 support schemes and training packages are available to all eligible Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, including those who may have worked in the sex industry.
The government noted that some workers might engage in underground illegal activities, and enforcement operations are conducted against vice activities, including online and offline prostitution.
There is an emphasis on addressing the risk of workers turning to underground prostitution through proactive enforcement and support measures.

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13 Sep 2021

Enhancing Employment Opportunities and Training for Individuals with Autism and Intellectual Disability

The government supports employers through the Enabling Employment Credit (EEC) to provide wage offsets for hiring persons with disabilities, and the Open Door Programme (ODP) offers job placement, support services, and training grants with 95% course subsidies and allowances.
New programs like Place and Train, Attach and Train, and Skills Development Programmes launched amid COVID-19 provide 90% course fee subsidies and salary support to enhance training and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
The Jobs Growth Incentive (JGI) offers higher support of up to $54,000 per hire for employers hiring persons with disabilities, and initiatives like the President’s Challenge and Enabling Mark accreditation promote inclusive hiring and recognize best practices.
The government is implementing recommendations from the Third Enabling Masterplan to better prepare special education students for employment, create new job opportunities, and support skills upgrading for persons with disabilities.
Efforts will continue to monitor existing measures and explore enhancements for lifelong learning and employment through the Enabling Masterplan 2030.

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13 Sep 2021

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Fundraising for Charities

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted charity operations, causing cancellations of fundraising events and reduced volunteer opportunities, even as demand for social and health services increased, leading to uneven donation distribution across sectors despite overall resilience and adaptation through online fundraising.
Tax-deductible donations to IPCs remained stable at around $1.01 billion in 2020 compared to $1.02 billion in 2019, while online platforms like Giving.sg saw donations surge to $102 million, a 155% increase, driven largely by growth in social welfare, health, and community sectors.
The government introduced multiple initiatives to support charities, including extended tax deductions, matching grant programmes, and digital transformation resources, alongside ground-up efforts like the #GiveYour600 campaign and the Singapore Strong Fund to encourage giving and address pandemic needs.
Efforts such as the #SGUnited Portal, Invictus Fund, and Tech-and-Go! hub were launched to centralize donation opportunities, marshal private donations, and accelerate digitalisation, aiming to enhance fundraising capabilities and ensure funds reach sectors most affected by the pandemic.
Charities are urged to leverage available grants and digital tools to transform operations and adapt to the new normal, with continued government partnership to help them emerge stronger and promote more equitable and effective charitable giving in the future.

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13 Sep 2021

Support for Persons Unable to Pay for Stays at SHN-Dedicated Facilities and COVID-19 Tests

Since January 2021, all incoming travellers must pay for their Stay-Home Notice facility and testing fees, with cost waivers available for Singaporeans, Permanent Residents, and non-residents facing financial difficulties on a case-by-case basis.
Between January and July 2021, the government received about 10,000 waiver appeals, representing around 6% of travellers who stayed at dedicated facilities, and approved roughly half of these appeals after assessing financial need and travel circumstances.
The policy shift places the cost of travel as a private expense, consistent with international practices, while still providing support for those with genuine financial difficulties and extenuating reasons for travel.

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3 Aug 2021

Plans to Increase Take-up Rate of Caregivers Training Grant and Widen Support for Carers Supporting Elderly or Sick Family Members

The government has enhanced the Caregivers Training Grant by offering more online courses and raising awareness through various channels such as AIC Links, websites, and community partners.
Support for caregivers of elderly or sick family members includes the Caregiver Support Action Plan with community outreach teams, support networks, respite care options, and the Home Caregiving Grant providing $200 monthly cash payout.
A new pilot was launched to provide structured support for caregivers when their loved ones are first diagnosed with dementia.
The Ministry of Health will continue to review and strengthen support measures for caregivers, including those caring for frail seniors or individuals with dementia.

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3 Aug 2021

Empowering Women

The debate highlighted ongoing structural and cultural barriers to gender equality in Singapore, including workplace discrimination, unequal care responsibilities, and the need for greater recognition of women's contributions across all sectors of society.
Speakers emphasized the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women, particularly in caregiving roles, and called for targeted policies to support women's re-entry into the workforce and address financial inequalities in retirement and insurance.
Proposals included anti-discrimination legislation, shared parental leave, flexible work arrangements, and enhanced support for single parents and vulnerable women, with a focus on a whole-of-society approach to empower women and remove barriers to their full participation.

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2 Aug 2021

Improving Access to and Sustainability of the Rare Disease Fund

Miss Cheryl Chan raised concerns about the low uptake and limited scope of the Rare Disease Fund (RDF), which has only assisted seven patients with six medicines for four conditions, and proposed expanding eligibility to include more diseases like neuroblastoma and Krabbe Disease, improving awareness, and ensuring sustainability through long-term donations, insurance involvement, and drug manufacturer support.
Senior Minister of State Dr Koh Poh Koon acknowledged the RDF’s progress but emphasized that adding more conditions or drugs requires sufficient funds, noting the high costs of rare disease treatments and the reliance on public donations, with the government offering a $3-to-$1 matching grant and tax incentives to encourage giving.
Both speakers highlighted the need for community and corporate support to sustain the RDF, with Dr Koh clarifying that some diseases like neuroblastoma are covered by existing schemes like MediShield Life and MediFund, while Krabbe Disease lacks effective treatments, and stressed that MediShield Life provides universal coverage for rare diseases.

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2 Aug 2021

Child Development Co-Savings (Amendment) Bill

The Bill introduces new cash benefit schemes for working fathers and adoptive mothers on short-term contracts or whose employment ends before their child's birth or adoption, and extends top-ups for parents who are retrenched or have contracts expire during leave.
It grants birth-linked leave and benefits to parents of stillborn children and allows employers to be reimbursed for voluntarily granting parental leave to employees who do not meet the minimum work period criteria.
The amendments disqualify fathers from childcare and infant care leave for children born from extramarital affairs to align with the policy intent of supporting parenthood within marriage, while enhancing accountability and audit powers for government schemes.

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2 Aug 2021

Long-term Support for Vulnerable in Community

The Ministry of Social and Family Development provides financial aid through ComCare and COVID-19 Recovery Grants, employment support via Workforce Singapore, and housing assistance through community partners like the PEERS Network for rough sleepers and the Vulnerable-in-Community Network for cardboard collectors and tissue sellers.
The Ministry communicates available help through media, websites, social media, and newsletters, and plans to expand engagement efforts by featuring partner work to inspire public participation and direct those in need to contact the ComCare hotline or nearest Social Service Office.
Denise Phua urges more aggressive investment in communications via print, social media, and TV to reach those needing or offering help, and in public education to discourage unhelpful social media posting that lacks dignity and privacy respect.
The Minister agrees to enhance communications and emphasizes relying on community partners to build trust with vulnerable individuals who may not seek help directly, while cautioning against public sharing of photos or videos that could harm privacy and family relationships.
On the ComCare hotline’s automated English response, the Minister will discuss improving it, ensuring language accessibility through Social Service Officers, and possibly exploring call centers with human responders to better assist callers.

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2 Aug 2021

Proposal for MediSave Contribution Requirements to be Lowered Temporarily to Allow Self-employed Persons to Qualify for Workfare Income Supplement

Leon Perera questioned the number of self-employed persons (SEPs) unable to qualify for Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) due to missing MediSave contributions and proposed temporarily lowering MediSave requirements for SEPs during COVID-19, citing their financial vulnerability.
The Senior Minister of State for Manpower explained that WIS eligibility requires CPF contributions to promote personal responsibility for retirement and healthcare, noting that most SEPs meet MediSave obligations within two years and have flexible payment options, while alternative COVID-19 grants are available.
Perera clarified whether SEPs could receive WIS payouts before completing MediSave contributions, emphasizing low-income SEPs' urgent financial needs, and the Minister responded that existing flexibilities like instalment plans and deferments are reasonable, distinguishing WIS as an income supplement rather than direct aid.

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2 Aug 2021

Proportion of Self-employed Persons Who Could Not Receive COVID-19 Recovery Grants due to Insufficient MediSave Payments

Leon Perera asked about the proportion of self-employed persons who could not receive the COVID-19 Recovery Grant due to insufficient MediSave payments, to which the Minister replied that less than 1% of unsuccessful CRG applications by SEPs were due to not meeting MediSave contribution criteria, specifically 0.04%.
The Minister explained that SEPs must contribute to their own MediSave accounts based on past declared earnings, with a waiver for first-time CRG applicants but a requirement for subsequent tranches to either have no arrears or commit to a GIRO instalment plan.
Applicants failing to meet other criteria like job search or training accounted for less than 1% of unsuccessful CSG applications and around 3% for CRG, with exemptions for those still employed or on no-pay leave.
The Minister encouraged those facing difficulties to approach Social Service Offices for alternative support, while emphasizing the high compliance rate of SEPs in MediSave contributions.
In a follow-up, the Minister clarified that the rejection rate due to MediSave issues is very low, and while help is extended wherever possible, the commitment to MediSave contributions is crucial for long-term healthcare and retirement needs.

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27 Jul 2021

Current Average Waiting Time to Complete Goodwill Repair Assistance Cases and Ways to Expedite Process

The average waiting time to complete Goodwill Repair Assistance (GRA) cases is currently between four and six months due to industry-wide construction worker shortages and COVID-19 safe management measures.
HDB prioritises urgent or critical works and co-pays 50% of repair costs, with the remaining cost shared between affected residents depending on the issue type.
Residents can engage private contractors from an HDB-provided list to expedite repairs and may seek financial assistance from grassroots organisations or CDCs if needed.

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27 Jul 2021

Reasons for Large Numbers of Malays Moving to 3-room or Smaller HDB Flats

The proportion of Malay households living in 1- and 2-room HDB flats rose from 8.7% in 2010 to 16% in 2020, driven by an increase in public rental supply and more Malay buyers purchasing smaller flats.
Factors include more young families, seniors, and those facing financial or family changes entering public rental, as well as singles and seniors buying 2-room flats due to policy changes and right-sizing.
The government has enhanced housing grants, support schemes, and community initiatives like ComLink and M3 to help families transition from rental to home ownership, with many Malay households already benefiting.
The Malay community has seen progress in education, employment, and income, which supports better housing outcomes, and ongoing efforts aim to further uplift lower-income and vulnerable families.

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27 Jul 2021

Support Measures for Phase Two (Heightened Alert) and Phase Three (Heightened Alert), and Support Measures for Phase Two (Heightened Alert)

The Minister explained that sudden COVID-19 restrictions were necessary due to unexpected clusters like KTV and Jurong Fishery Port, which threatened unvaccinated seniors and could overwhelm healthcare; future easing depends on stable hospitalisation and ICU cases, with reviews planned for September when 80% vaccination is targeted.
Immediate support measures for Phase Two and Three (Heightened Alert) cost over $2 billion, focusing on cash flow for businesses via schemes like JSS and rental relief, with flexibility for appeals and case-by-case assessments to assist affected sectors and workers.
Long-term plans include shifting from relief to building a vibrant economy, fairer society, and greener nation through Industry Transformation Maps, jobs reskilling, enhanced social safety nets, and sustainability investments, funded by sustainable fiscal strategies including the planned GST increase with offsets for lower-income households.

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27 Jul 2021

Permitting Higher Voluntary Savings Amounts under CPF LIFE

Ms Foo Mee Har proposed allowing higher voluntary savings under CPF LIFE to help PMETs receive retirement payouts closer to their pre-retirement income.
The Minister for Manpower explained that Singaporeans can already access higher retirement payouts via the Enhanced Retirement Sum, deferring payouts till age 70, and the Supplementary Retirement Scheme.
Ms Foo Mee Har highlighted concerns that the current Enhanced Retirement Sum may yield only basic income levels, insufficient against rising costs and investment risks.
The Minister noted that higher caps could disproportionately benefit higher-income members due to guaranteed CPF interest rates, and emphasized ongoing annual reviews of the Enhanced Retirement Sum.
Both sides acknowledged trust in CPF LIFE, with the Ministry indicating longer-term reviews of additional instruments to support retirement savings.

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26 Jul 2021

Review of Current Policy and Introduction of CPF Contribution Scheme to Employment Pass and EntrePass Holders

Gan Thiam Poh questioned if the CPF contribution scheme could be extended to Employment Pass and EntrePass holders.
Manpower Minister Tan See Leng stated that CPF is designed for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, not foreigners, as foreign PMEs are not on a permanent basis.
The Minister clarified that qualifying salaries for Employment Pass holders already account for CPF costs, ensuring a level playing field for Singaporeans.
Foreign PMEs are expected to make their own retirement and financial plans using available products, not rely on CPF.

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26 Jul 2021

Breakdown of Inpatient Admission Rates and Outpatient Attendance Rates of Singaporean HDB Residents over Age 65 by Flat Type and Residents with Barrier-free Access from Their Homes to Lift Landings

Dr Tan Wu Meng asked the Minister for Health for statistics on outpatient and inpatient service utilisation rates among HDB residents aged 65 and above, broken down by flat type and over the past three years, and for data on barrier-free home-to-lift access.
The Minister responded that service utilisation rates have generally remained stable, with residents of smaller HDB flats showing higher use of inpatient and polyclinic services but lower use of specialist outpatient clinics.
The Government has ensured barrier-free access in new HDB estates and upgraded most blocks via the Lift Upgrading Programme, while offering a Lift Access Housing Grant for the remaining flats without direct lift access.

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