Social welfare

• About 20% of active CPF members benefitted from higher contributions.
• This followed the wage ceiling rise from $6,000 to $8,000 (2023-2026).
• Contributions increased from both members and their employers.

• MP asked if the concessionary MDW levy threshold should be lowered for seniors aged 60–66 living alone.
• Minister said threshold stays at 67; those needing daily living assistance qualify under the disability concession.
• No plans to lower age threshold; eligibility remains targeted to genuine caregiving needs.

• 2026 inflation forecasts revised up due to Middle East conflict raising energy and import prices.
• Lower/middle-income households face higher costs, offset by subsidies and enhanced government assistance.

• ComCare families excluded from debt clearance until financially stable.
• They need jobs or higher pay before clearing debts.
• Once stable and off ComCare, they qualify for ComLink+ debt help.

• HDB cannot guarantee proximity to child's school; applicants select from available vacancies.
• HDB and MOE align relocation exercises with school transfer cycles to minimize disruption.
• ComLink+ family coaches assist public rental households with children's education transitions.

• Study finds higher depression, anxiety rates among migrant domestic workers.
• MOM implements multi-pronged support, including screenings, counseling, and community assistance.
• MOM partners with NGOs to train peer support and amplify help channels.

• MPs discuss support for cost-of-living challenges among existing payout recipients.
• Emphasis on upskilling and improving employability to boost incomes.
• Workfare Income Supplement and Progressive Wage Model target lower-wage workers.

• Dennis Tan urged subsidies for standalone therapies for autistic children under 12, awaiting diagnosis.
• Masagos noted formal assessment is required before EIPIC; standalone therapies can use Child Development Account.
• Special education schools and mainstream schools provide in-school therapeutic support for students with special needs.

Government reviews social support schemes regularly using economic and household indicators to assess adequacy for lower-income groups. Temporary support schemes are considered case-by-case during shocks, without fixed thresholds, to ensure targeted and appropriate assistance.

• Ministers assessed how Middle East conflict raises energy and food prices, affecting households differently, and explained existing targeted support measures.
• Government evaluates current and potential impacts, ensuring aid addresses distributional effects on vulnerable groups in Singapore.

• Wan Rizal questioned if S&CC rebates sufficiently shield HDB households from higher energy costs and broader cost-of-living pressures.
• Ministers addressed the issue in statements on Middle East impacts, directing reference to the official parliamentary report.

Minister outlines current schemes like EASE and SMF for seniors’ home modifications and assistive devices. Eligibility focuses on daily living needs, not specific disabilities, and the number of seniors living alone with severe mobility loss is not tracked. Existing pathways allow therapists to recommend and apply for these subsidies.

• Kenneth Tiong questioned why the $60k CPF extra interest cap is unchanged since 2008 and if it should track retirement sums.
• Tan See Leng explained the cap helps boost savings and is not linked to FRS growth, with no interest forgone.
• The government supports retirement through various schemes and enhancements, including recent CPF top-ups for older citizens.

• Dennis Tan seeks subsidies for private therapy for autistic children, especially middle-income families.
• Minister outlines existing EIPIC/P schemes with means-tested caps and CDA use for extra services.
• Government recommends ECDA-registered providers, tailored plans, and considers feedback on therapy hours.

• Minister confirms ComCare thresholds are reviewed regularly with inflation considered and support packages enhanced.
• Cai Yinzhou seeks immediate aid for ComCare families amid cost-of-living pressures, especially those with children.

• Government and unions provide job matching, career coaching, and financial aid for affected platform workers.
• Platform operators must collaborate with associations on transparency and worker communication during transitions.
• Structured support across agencies helps redeploy workers and reduce income disruption.

• Singapore's PISA results show a strong link between socioeconomic status and student performance. The government plans to uplift struggling students through targeted support, such as after-school programs for lower-income households, instead of capping the potential of high-achievers.
• A Member of Parliament countered, suggesting the data indicates unequal opportunities for higher-SES students rather than a need to suppress top performers. The Minister of State agreed to monitor this indicator and ensure all students have access to opportunities regardless of background.

• The government acknowledged the global socio-economic performance gap but will not assess if PSLE placement amplifies it, preferring to focus on support like subject banding for disadvantaged students.
• Officials stated they are monitoring educational trends and will review social mixing efforts, such as giving priority to lower-income students in oversubscribed schools.

Adult Disability Homes have 1,500 places with over 80% utilisation and 100 on the waitlist; Hostels have 130 places with 80-90% utilisation and 75 on the waitlist. New community-based support pilots aim to serve 250 individuals, reducing reliance on residential care.

• Mariam Jaafar requested five-year data on caregiver support scheme uptake broken down by household income and age. The minister detailed scheme usage but stated the ministry does not track caregiver household income or age, as schemes are tied to care recipients.