Social welfare — Topics

4 Jan 2021

Post-tax-and-transfer Gini Coefficient Calculation

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked whether the post-tax-and-transfer Gini coefficient uses a general formula or is applied uniquely per household, and whether the data for post-tax/transfer income comes from actual tax/CPF statements or assumptions about taxes/transfers by income decile.
Chan Chun Sing explained that the Gini coefficient is computed from household surveys conducted by the Ministry of Manpower and the Department of Statistics, with adjustments for taxes and transfers.
The calculation uses individual-level data where available from agencies like IRAS and CPFB, but estimates taxes and transfers at the household level when individual data is unavailable, such as using the Household Expenditure Survey for GST estimates based on household characteristics.

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4 Jan 2021

Number of CPF Members who have Opted out of CPF Life and Placed Savings in Commercial Products Instead

Ms Foo Mee Har asked the Minister for Manpower about the number of CPF members who have withdrawn retirement savings to opt for commercial annuity products and how the CPF Board verifies the claims of such products.
As of November 2020, only 129 CPF members were fully exempted from setting aside their retirement sum due to qualifying private annuities, which must meet strict criteria like being issued by MAS-registered providers and providing lifelong payouts at least equal to the CPF LIFE Standard Plan.
The CPF Board assesses private annuities based on their lifetime payout guarantees and ensures that if terminated, surrender values are refunded to the member's CPF account, with members remaining no worse off in retirement adequacy.
CPF LIFE offers a floor interest rate of 4% per annum (up to 6% with extras), which is hard for commercial products to match, explaining the low uptake and approval of exemptions for private annuities.

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4 Jan 2021

Percentage of Household Expenditure Defrayed by Home Caregiving Grant

The Home Caregiving Grant provides a monthly $200 cash grant to defray costs for eligible individuals with permanent moderate disability, replacing the earlier Foreign Domestic Worker Grant.
The grant is flexible and can be used for various caregiving expenses, such as hiring a foreign domestic worker, eldercare services, or transport for medical appointments.
It is part of a broader set of support measures, including means-tested subsidies, assistive device support, and other cash payout schemes for severely disabled Singaporeans.
Families needing further help can approach AIC Link or Social Service Offices for additional assistance with caregiving expenses.
The Minister did not directly address the percentage of household expenditure defrayed or plans for a quantum review in the provided response.

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4 Jan 2021

Applications for Caregiver Training Grant

The Caregiver Training Grant (CTG) provides an annual $200 subsidy for approved courses, with usage increasing from around 7,000 caregivers in 2013 to nearly 9,000 in 2019 before a drop to about 2,000 from January to November 2020, partly due to the replacement of the Foreign Domestic Worker Grant and COVID-19.
Over 70% of approved courses cost $200 or less, allowing caregivers to pay a minimum co-payment of $10, and the Ministry of Health will continue reviewing training support but has no current plans to increase the grant cap or mandatory touchpoints.
Caregivers can access training through more than 200 courses from over 50 providers, delivered via home, centre, or online modes, with flexibility encouraged and new providers and courses welcomed to meet diverse needs.

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4 Jan 2021

Mental and Financial Support for Youth Care-givers

The Ministry recognizes the heavy emotional, mental, and physical toll on youth caregivers and has launched initiatives like the Caregiver Support Action Plan and Home Caregiving Grant to provide financial and care navigation support.
Mental and emotional support is available through helplines, counselling services, and peer support networks, including specialized youth services, with schools also offering well-being programmes and trained professionals.
Youth caregivers are encouraged to approach teachers or education institutions for practical and emotional support, while the Youth Mental Well-being Network engages the community to enhance youth mental well-being.
The government and community can further help by sharing information on support schemes and encouraging caregivers to seek assistance, fostering a kinder and more empathetic society.

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4 Jan 2021

Support for Homeless People with Health Problems

Mr Mohd Fahmi Aliman asked how the Ministry plans to support homeless people with health problems, citing a study on homelessness in Singapore.
Minister Masagos Zulkifli explained that MSF works with community partners through the PEERS Network to reach out to homeless individuals, provide social and financial assistance, and refer them to healthcare institutions for medical support, subsidies, and integrated care plans.
MSF collaborates with partners to set up Safe Sound Sleeping Places (S3Ps), Transitional Shelters, and Senior Group Homes to provide safe rest and shelter, with the goal of helping them secure long-term stable housing.
The public can assist by calling the ComCare hotline or referring homeless individuals to Social Service Offices or Family Service Centres for help.

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4 Jan 2021

Help for Stateless Persons who Require Social and Financial Assistance

Stateless persons who are Permanent Residents (PRs) receive the same healthcare and education subsidies as other PRs, while non-PR stateless individuals may access certain subsidies in specific healthcare settings and are charged international student fees for education.
ComCare financial assistance is primarily for Singapore Citizens and PRs, but Social Service Offices can flexibly provide aid on a case-by-case basis to non-PR stateless persons, especially the elderly or long-term residents without family support.
Community partners and non-government resources, such as donations, are used to offer financial assistance to stateless persons for healthcare and educational needs, particularly when they do not qualify for government schemes.

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4 Jan 2021

Increasing Number of Community Care Apartments

Alex Yam asked whether the Ministry has plans to increase community care apartments if the pilot is successful and if such services could be incorporated into regular HDB estates.
Desmond Lee responded that the first pilot at Bukit Batok will launch in February 2021, with plans for more pilots if initial take-up is good, but longer-term plans depend on evaluation of the initial pilot.
He noted that the services in community care apartments mirror existing community services, with a unique Shared Caregiving Service offering round-the-clock assistance, which will be monitored for suitability for broader application.

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4 Jan 2021

Emotional and Financial Support in Schools for Students with Divorced Parents

Schools monitor students from divorced families and provide emotional support through counsellors and referrals to community agencies, while financial assistance is available via the MOE Financial Assistance Scheme and school-based aid.
The Ministry supports studying the factors that enable children of divorced parents to succeed and will collaborate with MSF to explore this, acknowledging that divorce alone does not determine outcomes.
School leaders receive information on vulnerable students transitioning from Primary to Secondary school to offer targeted support, balancing the need for a fresh start with the benefits of continuity in care.

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4 Jan 2021

Safeguards for Elderly and Vulnerable Users as More Government Services Move to Singpass Digital Platform

Ministers assured that safeguards like facial verification, multi-user SMS two-factor authentication, and physical counters at public service centres will remain accessible to ensure inclusive access for elderly and vulnerable users without smartphones.
The government provides digital literacy training and subsidized devices through initiatives like the SG Digital Office and Mobile Access for Seniors to help seniors adapt to Singpass.
While banks prefer Singpass for secure identity verification, physical counters and alternative services will continue to be available for those unable to use digital platforms.

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4 Nov 2020

Use of CPF Contribution History in 2020 as Alternative Criteria to Determine Eligibility for GST Vouchers

Leon Perera asked the government to consider using CPF contribution history from 2020 as an alternative to the current income and property criteria for GST Voucher eligibility, and to allow self-employed persons with low or no income in 2020 to qualify by reporting their income.
The Deputy Prime Minister explained that the GST Voucher scheme uses Assessable Income and Annual Value because these measures comprehensively reflect an individual's means, whereas CPF contributions only cover employment and trade income.
The government indicated that for individuals who appeal due to a recent fall in income, it would review their latest income status and supporting documents, such as CPF contribution history, as part of the appeal process.
Additional support schemes like the COVID-19 Support Grant are available to help those affected by the pandemic, combining flexibility in permanent schemes with responsive COVID-specific measures.

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4 Nov 2020

Seniors Placed under Adult Protective Services

Ms. Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked about the number of seniors placed under Adult Protective Services (APS) since its inception and the efforts to work with families to improve care readiness.
APS, established in 2015, protects vulnerable adults from abuse or neglect and works with various agencies; under the Vulnerable Adults Act (effective 2018), it can apply for court orders to place seniors in safe care.
From May 2015 to September 2020, APS investigated 484 senior cases, with about 98% resolved through family and agency support, and the rest assisted via court orders like Places of Safety.
MSF promotes family-based care, offers financial schemes like the Home Caregiving Grant and Caregiver Training Grant, and provides social services to stabilize family environments.
MSF encourages early planning through Lasting Power of Attorney and directs caregivers and seniors to the National CARE hotline for mental health support and referrals.

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4 Nov 2020

Submission of Online Applications for COVID-19 Support Grant Limited to Working Hours

Gerald Giam asked why the COVID-19 Support Grant online application portal operates only during working hours and if it could be available 24/7 except for maintenance.
Masagos Zulkifli explained that the portal is open daily including weekends and holidays, with 96% of over 180,000 applications submitted online since May 2020.
The 9 am to 6 pm operating hours were chosen to allow daily system monitoring, maintenance, and troubleshooting to ensure reliable service.
The Ministry will continue to assess portal availability based on user feedback and service needs.

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4 Nov 2020

Criteria or Indicators to Assess Mayors and Commuity Development Councils' Functions

The Minister outlined that Mayors and CDCs are assessed on their ability to assist the needy, bond the community, and strengthen social cohesion, with CDCs complementing national schemes and administering over 100 local assistance programmes.
CDCs have spent about $40.8 million annually over the past three years, raising an average of $11.4 million in cash yearly to support community programmes.
Unique schemes rolled out by CDCs in the past five years include Central Singapore CDC’s Purple Parade, North East CDC’s Heart Bakers, North West CDC’s Club 100, South East CDC’s 5E Programmes, and South West CDC’s Caregiver Support Fund.
During COVID-19, CDCs launched nearly 100 local initiatives serving over 676,000 beneficiaries and raised $8.39 million in cash and in kind between February and October 2020.
CDCs coordinate financial assistance with national schemes like Comcare through their ground-up networks and partnerships to ensure comprehensive support for the needy.

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4 Nov 2020

Extension of Co-Funding for Assisted Conception Procedures Scheme to Private Assisted Reproduction Centres

Louis Ng asked whether the government could extend the Co-Funding for Assisted Conception Procedures scheme to private assisted reproduction centres.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong noted that co-funding is currently available at public centres with sufficient capacity and low wait times.
The Minister said the government will study extending co-funding to private centres while ensuring reasonable charges, and that couples using private centres can already use MediSave to reduce costs.

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4 Nov 2020

Temporary Housing for Individuals Undergoing Divorce Proceedings Or Division of Matrimonial Assets

Yeo Wan Ling asked the Minister for National Development about the number of rental or temporary housing offers in the past 12 months for individuals undergoing divorce or matrimonial asset division, and whether HDB would consider a structured scheme for such housing.
Desmond Lee responded that from October 2019 to September 2020, HDB assisted about 50 individuals undergoing divorce with rental housing.
He explained that individuals who have commenced divorce proceedings can apply for rental housing, with HDB considering each applicant's circumstances, housing options, and children's needs.
HDB provides rental housing if applicants have no other housing option and no family support, and those in urgent need can seek help from Ministry of Social and Family Development shelters while applying.
The response did not directly address the question about a structured scheme, focusing instead on existing ad-hoc assistance.

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4 Nov 2020

Measures to Ensure Accessibility to Online Learning is Made Available to Children of Vulnerable Families

Gan Thiam Poh raised concerns about students’ requests for computers and the challenges of financial difficulties and network access for online learning, particularly for vulnerable families.
Lawrence Wong highlighted existing schemes like IMDA’s NEU PC Plus and MOE’s Opportunity Fund, which have supported tens of thousands of students with digital devices over the past five years.
Schools and higher education institutions provide additional support through device loans, mobile routers, bursaries, and second-hand laptops, with over 350 autonomous university students benefiting in recent years.
To accelerate digital access, all secondary students will have personal learning devices by end-2021 under the National Digital Literacy Programme, with full subsidies for lower-income households.

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4 Nov 2020

Number of Students who Still Do Not Have Access to Digital Devices for Home-based Learning

Sharael Taha asked about the number of primary and secondary students lacking digital devices for home-based learning and the schemes to assist less fortunate families.
Lawrence Wong stated that during the Circuit Breaker, nearly 90% of students had device access, with over 20,000 devices loaned and IMDA deploying nearly 10,000 devices via the NEU PC Plus programme.
After the Circuit Breaker, loaned devices were retained until year-end, and new loan requests declined significantly.
Under the National Digital Literacy Programme, all secondary students will have devices by end-2021, with low-income households receiving full financial support.
For primary students from low-income families, MOE and IMDA will continue providing devices via NEU PC Plus and full support through the iNSPIRE Fund.

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4 Nov 2020

Extension of Grace Period for Free Parking by Vehicles Ferrying Persons With Disabilities

Ms Yeo Wan Ling proposed extending the free parking grace period from 10 to 30 minutes for vehicles escorting persons with disabilities to medical facilities.
The Minister explained that current policy provides a 10-minute grace period for caregivers, after which standard charges apply, and highlighted the existing car park label scheme for accessible parking up to one hour.
The Minister supported the scheme’s role in aiding caregivers and persons with disabilities, noting its availability to both private caregivers and transport operators.

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4 Nov 2020

Eligibility Criteria for Grants Distribution Based on Per Capita Income Per Household

The government uses per capita household income based on shared residential addresses to identify those needing financial support during the pandemic, with flexibility for appeals from families supporting members outside the household.
Support schemes like the COVID-19 Support Grant consider both household income and per capita income criteria to account for varying household sizes and expenses.
Social Service Offices and community partners are available to assist families with extenuating circumstances who may not meet standard eligibility criteria.
The Ministry reviews social assistance schemes regularly to adapt to the changing needs of vulnerable groups.

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