Social welfare — Topics

4 Sep 2020

Statistics and Outcome of Applications for COVID-19 Support Grant

As of 16 August 2020, about 115,000 individuals applied for the COVID-19 Support Grant, with approximately 65,000 approved, 41,000 rejected, and 9,000 still being processed.
Rejected applications were mostly due to not meeting eligibility criteria for salary loss, job loss, no-pay leave, or not being an employee, accounting for nearly three-quarters of unsuccessful cases.
Other reasons for rejection included unverifiable employment details and failure to meet Annual Property Value and household income criteria.
About 8,000 appeals were received, with approximately 7,500 approved, as special circumstances were considered during the appeal process.

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4 Sep 2020

Distribution of Balance in Special Needs Savings Scheme on Demise of Child

Christopher de Souza asked whether parents can specify who receives leftover funds in the Special Needs Savings Scheme if their child passes away.
Masagos Zulkifli explained that if the child dies before the parents, the money stays in the parents’ CPF account, who can then update their nomination.
If the child dies after the parents, unused SNSS funds become part of the child’s estate and are distributed via will or intestacy laws.
Parents can set up a trust to decide how funds are used if their child outlives them, or apply for a court order to make a will on behalf of a child lacking mental capacity.

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4 Sep 2020

Bursary Applications Received by Autonomous Universities and Percentage Rejected in Past Five Years

Raeesah Khan asked for the number of bursary applications received by local autonomous universities over the past five years and the percentage of rejected applications.
Lawrence Wong stated that the number of Government bursaries awarded to Singaporean full-time and part-time undergraduates increased from AY2015 to AY2019 due to better outreach and expanding enrolment.
He explained that bursaries are available to Singaporean students meeting income criteria, covering up to the 66th percentile of households by income.
All eligible Singaporean students are awarded the bursary, and the Government does not track the number of rejected applications.

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4 Sep 2020

Cost of Living During COVID-19 and Measures to Monitor and Manage Situation

The Consumer Price Index-All Items declined by 0.2% year-on-year from January to July 2020, driven by lower costs in education, electricity, outpatient services, and petrol, though food prices increased.
The government acknowledges that cost of living remains a concern for Singaporeans affected by employment losses or wage cuts during the COVID-19 economic downturn.
Several support measures have been rolled out, including the Care and Support Package, COVID-19 Support Grant, and SG United Jobs and Skills Package.
The government continues to monitor the situation closely and is prepared to provide additional support if necessary.

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4 Sep 2020

Estimated Operational Lifespan of Motorised Wheelchair or Scooter Issued under Seniors' Mobility and Enabling Fund

The Seniors' Mobility and Enabling Fund provides subsidies for motorised wheelchairs or scooters for seniors aged 60 and above to support aging in place.
Subsidised devices are estimated to have an operational lifespan of up to five years or more with proper maintenance.
Cases where seniors need a replacement device due to financial constraints are assessed individually by AIC on a case-by-case basis.

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4 Sep 2020

Data on Retiree Landlords Dependent on Rental Incomes of Their Commercial Units and Further Grants to Cover Them Beyond Rental Relief Framework

Ng Ling Ling asked if the Ministry has data on retiree landlords dependent on rental income from small commercial units for living expenses and whether further grants beyond the one-month waiver can cover them under the Rental Relief Framework.
Heng Swee Keat explained that the Rental Relief Framework shares rental obligations between the Government, landlords, and SME tenants, with landlords facing financial hardship able to apply to halve their waiver obligations, and about 3,000 landlords (over 65% aged 62+) may qualify.
As of 30 August 2020, 455 applications were received for rental relief, and landlords with cash flow difficulties can defer mortgage payments and extend loan tenure to ease financial strain.
The Government balances the needs of landlords and tenants and will monitor the situation to make adjustments as needed.

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4 Sep 2020

Spike in Households' Utility Bills in July and August 2020

Liang Eng Hwa asked about the reasons for the spike in households’ utility bills in July and August 2020, whether there were errors in meter readings, and if utility prices had increased.
Chan Chun Sing clarified that electricity and town gas tariffs decreased in Q3 2020 and water prices remained unchanged, but higher bills were due to increased usage during warmer months, more time at home during the circuit breaker, and under-estimation of consumption when meter readings were suspended and later adjusted.
He noted that support measures were provided, including a $100 Solidarity Utilities Credit and enhanced GST Voucher–U-Save rebates for eligible households.

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4 Sep 2020

Criteria and Appeals for Early Graduation from Home Ownerhsip Plus Education Scheme

Ms Raeesah Khan asked the Minister for Social and Family Development for the number of families and widowed or divorced mothers who have appealed for early graduation from the Home Ownership Plus Education (HOPE) Scheme since 2004 and the approval rate of these appeals.
Ms Raeesah Khan also asked the Minister what criteria families and widowed or divorced mothers under the HOPE Scheme need to meet to graduate early, as the scheme supports low-income families with small households through various subsidies and incentives until the mother turns 45, with early withdrawal possible.
The Minister explained that early graduation is allowed for families who wish to have more than two children if their monthly household income exceeds $4,000 and both spouses have sustained employment for at least five years; since 2004, four out of five appeals were approved, with one divorced client denied for not meeting the criteria.

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4 Sep 2020

Broadband Service Subsidies for Seniors in Low-income Households

Saktiandi Supaat asked if seniors in low-income households can get subsidies for home broadband access and installation under the Digital Access Programme.
The government confirmed that eligible low-income households, including those with seniors, receive two years of subsidized broadband and one subsidized device, with installation fees waived under the Home Access programme.
75% of current beneficiaries are households with seniors aged 60 and above, with nearly 4,000 seniors benefiting this year.
Additional schemes like Mobile Access for Seniors provide subsidized smartphones and mobile plans, with 800 seniors benefiting since July.
Over 16,000 seniors have participated in digital skilling initiatives, supported by community partners and volunteers to ensure digital inclusion.

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4 Sep 2020

Patients Accessing Subsidised Care at Public Hospitals and Specialist Centres

Over three years, public healthcare providers received about 2,400 requests annually from patients seeking to switch from private to subsidised care, approving around 70% of them.
Patients with Integrated Shield Plans accounted for about 35% of inpatient switch requests, but employment-linked insurance data is not recorded.
Subsidised specialist outpatient care requires a referral from a subsidised ward, emergency department, or polyclinic; private ward patients are charged unsubsidised rates unless they switch due to financial need.
Providers assess switch requests case-by-case, considering financial circumstances and allowing flexibility for genuine hardship, with medical social workers available to discuss options.

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4 Sep 2020

Debate on President's Address

The pandemic has ignited a spirit of mutual help in the community, with many Singaporeans stepping up to volunteer, donate, and support the vulnerable, including frontline workers and migrant workers.
The debate highlighted the need to strengthen the Singaporean core and ensure fair opportunities for locals, while also acknowledging the importance of staying open to foreign talent and investment to keep the economy competitive.
Members of Parliament emphasized the importance of building a fairer and more inclusive society post-COVID-19, with specific calls to improve support for people with disabilities, streamline means-testing, and enhance the welfare of lower-wage workers and migrant workers.

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4 Sep 2020

Amount Disbursed under Self-employed Relief Scheme and Further Measures to Help Self-employed

The Self-employed Person Income Relief Scheme (SIRS) disbursed $1.1 billion in its first two tranches and is expected to cost $2 billion in total, nearly doubling its original allocation, with about 190,000 recipients.
The Minister confirmed that the government is studying ways to support vulnerable self-employed persons beyond existing schemes, including considering extensions of SIRS at a lower payout level.
Approximately two-thirds of SIRS applications were approved, with rejections typically due to higher incomes, valuable properties, or alternative support like the COVID-19 Support Grant.
SIRS recipients include taxi drivers, private hire car drivers, and hawkers, with future assistance considering sector-specific economic performance.

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3 Sep 2020

Debate on President's Address

Several Members highlighted the need to strengthen social safety nets and support for vulnerable groups, including low-wage workers, families, and the elderly, with calls for policy reforms such as a minimum wage, improved healthcare support, and enhanced housing assistance.
The debate emphasized the importance of education as a social enabler, with proposals for expanding early childhood support, multiple educational pathways, and better inclusion for students with special needs, alongside broader societal shifts away from overemphasis on academic achievements.
Digital safety and online harms were addressed, with suggestions for a coordinated government approach, industry responsibility, and public education to protect citizens, especially youth and seniors, from scams, cyberbullying, and other risks.

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2 Sep 2020

Debate on President's Address

Parliamentarians emphasized the need for Singapore to unite and transform its economy through collaboration between the government, businesses, and citizens to navigate the COVID-19 crisis and global changes, with a focus on creating new jobs in digitalization and sustainability while supporting affected sectors like aviation and retail.
Speakers highlighted the importance of inclusive growth, urging fair hiring practices, support for displaced workers, seniors, and persons with disabilities, and the redesign of jobs to harness experience, while cautioning that digitalization exposes professionals to global competition and requires a rethinking of workforce protection beyond quotas.
Debates called for stronger social safety nets, including reviewing unconditional wage subsidies, enhancing unemployment support, allowing CPF withdrawals in emergencies, and indexing retirement payouts to inflation, alongside fostering a more compassionate approach to welfare that rewards effort and reduces stigma.

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1 Sep 2020

Debate on President's Address

Tan Wu Meng emphasized the need for improved healthcare accessibility and support for the elderly, low-wage workers, and healthcare staff, highlighting gaps in current policies and calling for counter-cyclical investments during the recession.
Rahayu Mahzam discussed the importance of constructive discourse in Singapore’s multiracial society, warning against divisive “cancel culture” and urging a balanced approach to social movements without polarizing communities.
Both speakers stressed the necessity of evolving policies and societal norms to address current challenges, with a focus on inclusivity, compassion, and preserving Singapore’s social fabric.

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24 Aug 2020

Ministry of Social and Family Development

MSF will strengthen social safety nets and support vulnerable households affected by COVID-19 and economic downturns, including through ComCare, grants, and enhanced mental and family wellbeing support.
The ministry aims to improve social service delivery by expanding community networks and partnerships to proactively reach and support those in need, including through initiatives like ComLink and the PEERS Network.
MSF will enhance support for persons with disabilities, preschool education, youth-at-risk, and families through various programmes, including the Enabling Masterplan, preschool subsidies, KidSTART expansion, and family support services.
The social service sector will be transformed with digitalisation, capability building, and partnerships to emerge stronger post-COVID-19, while sustaining community philanthropy and volunteerism.

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24 Aug 2020

Ministry of Manpower

The Ministry of Manpower will intensify efforts through the SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package to create 100,000 opportunities and support displaced workers with training, subsidies, and enhanced job-matching services, with a focus on fairness for all workers regardless of age, race, or gender.
Further adjustments to foreign workforce policies, including raising salary criteria for Employment Passes and S Passes, will be made to reflect current economic conditions while ensuring employers uphold fair hiring and strengthen the Singaporean core.
The ministry will expand support for self-employed persons, enhance the Progressive Wage Model to uplift lower-wage workers, and increase assistance through Workfare and Silver Support to mitigate inequalities and promote inclusive growth.

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24 Aug 2020

Ministry of Finance

The Ministry of Finance outlined its focus on navigating the COVID-19 crisis through fiscal support for jobs and businesses, while accelerating economic transformation through digitalisation, innovation, and workforce upskilling.
It emphasized building a fair and progressive society by investing in education, healthcare, and support for vulnerable groups, including doubling pre-school spending and enhancing schemes for low-wage workers and seniors.
The ministry committed to maintaining sound finances, announcing plans to raise the GST to fund growing social and healthcare needs, while using borrowing responsibly for long-term infrastructure and climate investments.

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24 Aug 2020

President's Address

The President outlined Singapore’s response to COVID-19 and the severe economic recession, emphasising the need to adjust strategies, support jobs, and inject significant financial aid while preparing for a possible resurgence of cases.
He highlighted major shifts in the global and domestic landscape, including intensified US-China rivalry, protectionism, and the need for Singapore to remain resilient, nimble, and competitive in a changed world.
The President stressed the importance of evolving social policies, strengthening safety nets, and reforming meritocracy to enhance social mobility and ensure fairness, especially for lower-wage, mature, and mid-career workers.
He called for a stronger shared Singaporean identity through multiracialism and social cohesion, while addressing anxieties over jobs and work pass holders, and urging constructive political discourse and partnership between the Government and Opposition.
The President invited all Singaporeans to partner with the Government in the “Singapore Together” spirit to navigate challenges, save lives, protect livelihoods, and secure a brighter future for the nation.

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5 Jun 2020

Mental Healthcare Provisions for Work Permit Holders

The Ministry of Manpower partners with NGOs like the Migrant Workers' Centre and Healthserve to provide mental health support, including 24-hour hotlines, tele-counselling in native languages, and financial assistance for work permit holders in various accommodations.
Communication of these measures is done through regular MOM bulletins, videos, posters in dormitories, and a mandatory Settling-in Programme for new non-Malaysian work permit holders, which includes hotline numbers and avenues for help.
Proactive identification and referral of at-risk workers are handled by FAST teams and Foreign Worker Ambassadors, with Healthserve’s volunteer psychiatrists and counsellors providing remote or one-on-one tele-counselling sessions.

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