Social welfare — Topics

26 Jul 2021

Referral of Vulnerable Pregnant Women by Medical Personnel to Avenues for Support and Assistance During and Post-pregnancy

Medical personnel are legally required to report suspected offences like abuse or sexual assault, and are ethically bound to refer patients to appropriate support services they cannot address.
Pregnant women with identified needs receive psychosocial support and are routinely referred to medical social workers, care coordinators, and community services as part of obstetric care.
Several programmes and initiatives, such as ProPEL, KidSTART, Safe Place, and Babes Pregnancy Crisis Support, provide tailored assistance including home visits, therapy, temporary shelter, and counselling for vulnerable pregnant women and new mothers.

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26 Jul 2021

Government Expenditure on Each Elderly Person Cared for in Nursing Homes or Other Residential Care Facilities

Ms. Carrie Tan asked the Minister for Health about the monthly and annual government expenditure on each elderly person in nursing homes or other residential care facilities, including staff salaries, hygiene consumables, and other care-related costs.
In 2020, the government provided approximately S$349 million in subsidies to 13,850 nursing home residents.
This amounts to an average of S$2,100 per month or S$25,200 per year spent on each subsidised nursing home resident.

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26 Jul 2021

Number of Successful Applications for COVID-19 MUIS Support Grant

Out of 7,700 applications for the COVID-19 MUIS Support Grant, 5,547 were successful.
Successful applicants were encouraged to apply for Zakat Financial Assistance, and about 370 households continue to receive monthly Zakat FA.
The grant was a one-off aid for eligible Muslim households economically impacted by the pandemic, with eligibility based on per-capita income and non-receipt of other assistance.
MUIS also directs Zakat FA beneficiaries who are eligible for further support to Social Service Offices for ComCare assistance.

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26 Jul 2021

Families Benefiting from Extension of Foreign Domestic Worker Levy Concession and Home Caregiving Grant for Care of Adult Family Members with Cognitive Impairments

Murali Pillai asked the Minister for Social and Family Development about the number of families benefiting from the extended FDW levy concession and Home Caregiving Grant for adult family members with cognitive impairments and steps to increase awareness of these schemes.
The Government reported that as of 31 March 2021, over 3,000 families benefited from the FDW levy concession and more than 31,000 beneficiaries received the Home Caregiving Grant, with eligibility based on functional impairment rather than specific cognitive conditions.
Information on both schemes is available on government websites and through social service agencies, and families can apply via the Agency for Integrated Care, with no separate data collected on cognitive impairments as a qualifying criterion.

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26 Jul 2021

Encourage Utilisation and Expansion of Elderly Befriender Services to Reduce Elderly Suicide Rates

Saktiandi Supaat asked about CareLine’s reach, increasing resources for befriending and suicide prevention, more house visits by the Silver Generation Office, and protocols when seniors decline assistance.
Joan Pereira inquired about providing resources to religious organisations to address the rising elderly suicide rate.
Ong Ye Kung outlined a multi-pronged approach including helplines, community outreach, elder befriending services, and CareLine, which has supported around 10,000 seniors, while continuing to build community partnerships.

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26 Jul 2021

Number and Profile of Commuters with Issued Public Transport Concessions Cards

As of end-June 2021, there were about two million valid public transport concession cards in Singapore.
Senior citizens and students form the majority, accounting for 47% and 31% of the cards respectively, while other groups include children (6%), adult monthly travel and full-time NSF concession cards (3% each).
The Workfare Transport Concession Scheme and Persons with Disabilities Concession Scheme account for 9% and 1% of cardholders, with annual government subsidies ranging from $14.5 million to $18.3 million since 2014.

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26 Jul 2021

Utilisation Rates and Profile of Residents at Safe, Sound Sleeping Places

There are currently 20 Safe, Sound Sleeping Places (S3Ps) operated by community partners, with a 93% occupancy rate as of 31 May 2021.
The median stay at an S3P is approximately five months, and 45% of users have stayed regularly for at least six months.
Residents include those unable to return home due to family issues, loss of income, divorce, or travel restrictions during COVID-19, with some staying longer while seeking alternative housing.
The government tracks user profiles and connects them with support agencies like Social Service Offices and Transitional Shelters for long-term housing and other needs.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development plans to continue collaborating with community partners to maintain and potentially expand S3Ps post-COVID-19.

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26 Jul 2021

Rising Prices of Vegetables and Fresh Produce Imported from Malaysia

Minister Gan Kim Yong noted that while the CPI for leafy and fruit vegetables saw a minimal increase of under 1% in June 2021, likely due to Malaysia's Enhanced Movement Control Orders and seasonal weather affecting supply, Singapore has been diversifying import sources to stabilize prices.
The government provides support through ComCare assistance from Social Service Offices for low-income households to cover daily living expenses including food.
Additional one-off measures, such as the Budget 2020 Grocery Vouchers Scheme, have been introduced to help families manage household costs during economic uncertainty.

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6 Jul 2021

Update on Applications and Payments Approved under Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Programme since May 2021

As of 25 June 2021, MOH received 292 complete applications for the Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Programme.
Of the 267 applications reviewed by the independent Clinical Panel, 102 met the qualifying criteria and $451,000 has been paid or is being paid out.
The remaining 159 applications did not meet eligibility criteria, and 31 applications are pending review or additional medical information.

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6 Jul 2021

Proposal to Subsidise Hospitalisation Costs for Birth Deliveries up to C-class Ward Rates in Public Hospitals for First Two Children of Each Singaporean Family

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim proposed subsidising hospitalisation costs for birth deliveries up to C-class ward rates in public hospitals for the first two children of each Singaporean family, regardless of delivery location.
Ong Ye Kung explained that while government subsidies of up to 80% are available for inpatient treatment in B2 or C wards of public hospitals, subsidies are means-tested and not extended to A or B1 wards or private hospitals, including for maternity services.
All Singaporeans can use the MediSave Maternity Package to offset delivery costs, with daily hospital charge limits and procedure-based withdrawal limits for normal or complicated deliveries.
Additional support for children includes a $4,000 MediSave Grant for newborns, free childhood vaccinations and screenings, and Baby Bonus Cash Gift plus Government contributions to Child Development Account savings as part of the Marriage and Parenthood Package.

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6 Jul 2021

Extending SG Enable's Taxi Scheme to Individuals under Special Circumstances with Monthly per Capita Household Income above $2,800

Ms Raeesah Khan asked whether SG Enable’s Taxi Subsidy Scheme can be extended to individuals with monthly per capita household income above $2,800 due to special circumstances, how many such cases exist and their reasons, and if subsidies could cover trips beyond home-work/school and private hire options for wheelchair users.
Masagos Zulkifli B M M explained the scheme supports persons with disabilities attending school, work, or training who meet means-test criteria and cannot use public transport, with the income threshold raised to $2,800 in January 2020, and no current recipients exceed this limit, though appeals are assessed case-by-case.
The Ministry also subsidizes transport for government-funded programmes via the Voluntary Welfare Organisation Transport Subsidy Scheme and medical trips through the Agency for Integrated Care’s Medical Escort and Transport service, and will continue reviewing schemes for relevance and affordability.

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6 Jul 2021

Success Rate of ComCare Applications and Common Reasons for Rejection

The ComCare success rate for 2020 was 70% for Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance (SMTA) and 98% for Long-Term Assistance (LTA), with processing typically completed within four to six weeks and average cash assistance of around $600 per household.
The most common reason for rejection is that applicants have stable income deemed sufficient for basic living expenses, while other reasons include withdrawal to apply for other schemes and failure to submit required documents.
MSF does not track the number of appeals against rejections and reviews ComCare eligibility criteria every two to three years, with the next review scheduled for 2022.

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6 Jul 2021

Appeals Received for COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund

Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for Transport about the number of appeals received for the COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund (CDRF), the success and failure rates relative to private hire car drivers, and whether the 200-trip monthly criterion could be reviewed due to lower ridership and to include delivery trips.
Between January and May 2021, 850 appeals were received, with about 190 approved and 660 rejected; half of the rejections lacked valid reasons, while around 300 were from new drivers not active during the qualifying period.
The CDRF targets active taxi and private hire car drivers dependent on driving for income, with the 200-trip criterion set to ensure support reaches existing drivers, though appeals consider factors like COVID-19 impact, delivery trips, and medical or compassionate grounds.

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6 Jul 2021

Tax Rebates and Baby Bonus Incentives for Single Parents

The Minister explained that tax rebates and Baby Bonus are intended to encourage parenthood within marriage, which is why they are not extended to single unwed parents.
The government provides alternative support for all Singaporean children regardless of marital status, including Child Development Account benefits, education and healthcare subsidies, and childcare leave.
Targeted assistance for single unwed parents includes financial aid through Social Service Offices, family support from Family Service Centres, and pandemic-specific grants like the COVID-19 Recovery Grant.

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6 Jul 2021

Increasing Stock of Flats under Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme to Support Families Affected by BTO Construction Delays

HDB is working with contractors to expedite BTO construction while maintaining quality and safety, and exploring exemptions for quieter weekend construction to mitigate delays.
The Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS) prioritizes first-timer applicants in greatest need, with plans to increase temporary housing supply to better support affected flat buyers.
Rental rates for PPHS flats are kept low compared to the open market, and low-income families without options may receive case-by-case support through Interim Rental Housing at around $300 monthly.

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6 Jul 2021

Grace Period before Transfer of CPF Savings to Retirement Account for Those Aged 55 to Secure New HDB Flats

Carrie Tan asked if a grace period could be granted to citizens aged 55 and above to secure an HDB flat before their CPF savings are transferred to their Retirement Account, due to limited BTO and SBF supply.
Tan See Leng explained that CPF savings from the Special and Ordinary Accounts are transferred to the Retirement Account at age 55 to provide retirement payouts.
He noted that members can request to reserve CPF Ordinary Account savings for housing beyond age 55 by submitting a request to the CPF Board before the transfer.
The CPF Board and HDB will continue to provide flexibility on a case-by-case basis for members facing difficulties financing housing purchases.

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6 Jul 2021

Options for Teens Kicked Out of Their Homes for Issues Related to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

The Minister outlined that teens facing family conflict or abuse can seek help from Family Service Centres, Family Violence and Child Protection services, or Transitional Shelters, with support accessible regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
The government does not condone abuse against any person and provides alternative care arrangements for those facing violence, while assessing suitability for communal living.
The T Project offers temporary shelter for homeless individuals, including many from the LGBTQ+ community, and the government will consider funding programmes addressing significant social needs, including those run by community partners.
Community partner shelters complement government-funded services, though not all receive government funding, and the focus is on meeting community needs through accessible support options.

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6 Jul 2021

Government's Response to Top Issues of Social Support, National Identity and Shared Values from Latest Emerging Stronger Conversations

The government is focusing on social support and national identity following feedback from the Emerging Stronger Conversations, with initiatives like UPLIFT to help disadvantaged students and families.
Partnerships such as the Alliances for Action are being used to address issues like mental wellness, senior digital literacy, and support for caregivers of persons with disabilities.
Citizens' Workgroups are collaborating to strengthen national identity and shared values through projects like the Singapore Citizenship Journey and national symbols.

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6 Jul 2021

Additional Financial Aid for Hawkers Affected due to their Proximity to COVID-19 Clusters

The government has provided substantial financial support to hawkers during the pandemic, including seven months of rental waivers, five months of cleaning subsidies, and frozen rental increases from April 2020 to March 2021, with case-by-case reviews for those facing difficulties.
Rental adjustments for hawkers are based on independent valuations, with most recent renewals resulting in decreases or no change, and the government has committed to providing rental waivers specifically for hawkers affected by COVID-19 cluster closures.
Efforts to restore public confidence and attract crowds back to affected hawker centres involve deep cleaning, hygiene assurances, and community engagement through grassroots and hawker associations to support reopening.

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