Social welfare — Topics

8 May 2019

Number of Displaced Persons in Shelters

MSF collaborates with HDB and community agencies to assist homeless individuals and families, offering Transitional Shelters, Crisis Shelters for family violence victims, and long-term Welfare Homes for those unable to support themselves.
Between 2016 and 2018, MSF supported an average of 290 homeless or destitute individuals yearly, with an average of 180 families in shelters annually and about 60 foreign cases assisted each year.
Reasons for displacement include debt, divorce, family conflicts, inability to work, or seeking safety from abuse, with social workers addressing underlying issues and securing long-term housing.

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8 May 2019

Grants for Kindergarten Education and Provision of Educational Support for Children with Special Needs in Pre-schools

The government supports affordable and quality pre-schools through funding for Anchor Operators, Partner Operators, and MOE Kindergartens, and offers broad-based schemes like Professional Development Programmes and grants for technology and innovation.
Children with mild developmental needs receive support through Development Support and Learning Support Programmes in about 550 pre-schools, while those with mild to moderate needs can access the new Development Support Plus programme for intervention support directly in pre-schools.
Early intervention services were made more affordable from April 2019 through enhanced subsidies and broader income criteria, and oversight of these services will be integrated under ECDA by end-2020.
A cross-sectoral workgroup is studying approaches to extend support for children with moderate to severe developmental needs to more pre-schools.

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8 May 2019

Non-payment of Full Sum of Salary Claims of Non-Malaysian Work Permit Holders

The Labour Court and Employment Claims Tribunals issued about 130 money orders annually for non-Malaysian work permit holders' salary claims, with most workers paid by employers or insurers and about 10% assisted by the Migrant Workers’ Assistance Fund (MWAF) in the past five years.
Employers are required to provide a security bond, with around 150 forfeited yearly for non-payment or repatriation failures, and MWAF, funded by donations and government matching, is used to supplement payments when other avenues fail.
The government prefers using insurance first, then the security bond, and finally MWAF for ex-gratia assistance on a case-by-case basis, emphasizing early reporting by workers to improve salary recovery.

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8 May 2019

Living in Private Properties but with No Declared Income

About 164,000 adult Singaporean citizens live in private properties and have no declared income, falling into groups with no income, non-taxable income, or taxable income below the filing threshold.
The government uses broad-based schemes like GST Vouchers and healthcare subsidies, which mainly target lower-income households in HDB flats, leaving some private property residents feeling excluded despite having low or no income.
Officials acknowledge the challenge of identifying those in genuine need within the private property group and encourage applications for assistance, noting that specific schemes like the Pioneer and Merdeka Generation Packages apply regardless of property type.
The debate highlighted concerns about equity, as some private property residents with modest incomes feel disadvantaged compared to HDB dwellers who receive more benefits, despite the former's contributions to the nation.

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7 May 2019

Working Adults Providing Care to and Residing with Young Child and Elderly Family Member

Assoc Prof Walter Theseira asked for statistics over the last five years on working adults aged 21 to 65 residing with both a young child (12 and below) and an elderly family member (65 and above), including how many employ foreign domestic workers and any government studies on their caregiving challenges.
Desmond Lee provided data showing the number of such households and noted a 2018 cross-agency review found caregivers desire more respite care, workplace flexibility, and assistance navigating services, with concerns about foreign domestic workers' ability to handle increasing care needs.
The government has implemented measures like the Caregiver Support Action Plan, childcare subsidies based on household size, and expanded the Work-Life Grant to support flexible work arrangements, with ongoing reviews to better aid dual caregivers.

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7 May 2019

Inclusion of Persons with Mental Health Conditions in Special Employment Credit and Open Door Programmes

Member of Parliament Anthea Ong questioned the Ministry of Manpower about extending the Special Employment Credit and Open Door Programme to persons with mental health conditions and considering legislative interventions for workplace mental health risks.
The Ministry responded that these programmes currently cover individuals with permanent disabilities under the Enabling Masterplan, distinguishing them from mental health conditions which may be manageable, and highlighted existing support like the Job Club at IMH and stress management initiatives.
Follow-up exchanges clarified that while employer support for hiring persons with mental health conditions is limited under current schemes, alternative assistance is available through the Adapt and Grow Initiative and partnerships with mental health institutions.

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6 May 2019

Applications for ComCare Child Care Subsidy

Assoc Prof Walter Theseira asked the Minister for Social and Family Development about the number of applications, approvals, demographic profiles, and reasons for rejection for ComCare Child Care Subsidies over the last three years.
From 2016 to 2018, there was an average of 4,440 applications yearly for the subsidy, with about 86% approved on average.
The Ministry does not track the demographic profiles of applicants or the specific reasons for all rejections, but some applications were rejected because household income exceeded criteria or because applicants had not first applied for Basic and Additional Subsidies.

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6 May 2019

Citizens Earning Less Than $1,300 and $2,000 Per Month from Full-time Work

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh asked the Minister for Manpower in 2018 for the number of full-time working Singapore citizens earning less than $1,300 and less than $2,000 per month.
Mrs Josephine Teo stated that wages have grown at all levels, with real wages at the 20th percentile rising 4.2% annually over the past five years.
The proportion of full-time employed Singapore Residents earning below $1,300 fell to about 5%, with the number dropping by 40% to 97,000.
About 15% earn less than $2,000, with the number declining by 30% over five years to 282,000.
The government supports lower-wage workers through the Workfare Income Supplement Scheme, which benefits over 400,000 workers annually and boosts their incomes by up to 30%.

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6 May 2019

HDB BTO Applicants Who Obtained Housing Grants

Over 48,600 first-timer households, representing 61% of those who booked a BTO flat from 2014 to 2018, received housing grants such as the Additional CPF Housing Grant and Special CPF Housing Grant.
First-timer households can receive up to $80,000 in housing grants to purchase a subsidised flat from HDB.
The government has provided tables detailing the percentages and numbers of grant recipients by flat type and the lowest prices paid by successful grant applicants for each flat type.

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6 May 2019

Government Support for Diagnosis, Treatment and Subsidy for Persons with Rare Diseases in Singapore

Christopher de Souza queried the government's support for diagnosing, treating, and subsidising persons with rare diseases in Singapore.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong explained that most rare diseases are childhood-diagnosed, with early diagnosis and treatment improving lifespan and quality of life, supported by the National Expanded Newborn Screening Programme covering over 30 rare diseases.
Patients can access subsidised inpatient and outpatient services at public healthcare institutions, use MediShield Life and MediSave for bills, and apply for financial assistance like MediFund and Medication Assistance Fund.
For costly medications for rare conditions, hospitals negotiate discounts, waive fees, or use charity funds, and MOH is exploring enhanced support to be detailed later this year.

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6 May 2019

Breakdown of Singaporeans Utilising Nursing Homes, Home Care, Day Care and Respite Care Services

Assoc Prof Walter Theseira asked the Minister for Health for a breakdown of Singaporeans using nursing homes, home care, day care, and respite care services by household income, housing type, and age group.
In Q4 2018, around 16,000 unique residents used subsidised home and community care services, while about 12,000 used subsidised nursing home services, including respite care in both settings.
Among subsidised home and community care users, half were aged 80 and above, three in 10 were 70 to 79, and the rest were 69 or younger, with about three-fifths receiving the maximum subsidy.
Among subsidised nursing home residents, four in 10 were aged 80 and above, three in 10 were 70 to 79, and the remainder were 69 or younger, with over four-fifths receiving the maximum subsidy.

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6 May 2019

Number of Seniors Benefiting from Home-based Care Services from 2016 to 2018

Assoc Prof Walter Theseira asked for annual figures from 2016 to 2018 on seniors benefiting from home-based care, referrals received by the Agency for Integrated Care, number of home-based care providers, and employees excluding foreign domestic workers.
Minister Gan Kim Yong reported that over 70 home-based care providers exist, with worker numbers rising from 890 in 2016 to 1,120 in 2018 based on government-funded providers.
Subsidised home care services benefited 5,200 seniors in 2016, 6,000 in 2017, and 6,700 in 2018, while referrals to the Agency for Integrated Care were 15,800 in 2016, 16,300 in 2017, and 14,400 in 2018, noting that referrals are non-unique and not all lead to service uptake.

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6 May 2019

Average Waiting Time for Seniors to Access Care Services

Assoc Prof Walter Theseira asked for the average waiting times for seniors to access home-based, daycare, and respite care services from 2016 to 2018.
MOH reported that median waiting times were around 7 days for home care and 20 days for daycare services during this period, with no detailed data provided for respite care.
The ministry noted that capacity for home and daycare services had increased, with vacancies exceeding waitlists nationally, and waiting times vary by factors like provider capacity and care needs.
For planned respite care, access is typically within two weeks, while emergency situations can be addressed via the Singapore Silver Line or AICare Links, and interim caregiver support is available for post-discharge patients.
Overall, the response emphasized ongoing efforts to expand care services and support seniors through various initiatives, but specific annual averages for 2016–2018 were not provided beyond the median figures.

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6 May 2019

Payment for A&E Services in Public Hospitals

Intan Azura Mokhtar asked if payment for accident and emergency (A&E) services in public hospitals is required upfront or after treatment, and whether low-income or needy patients are eligible for subsidised fees.
Gan Kim Yong stated that all patients are charged a single flat subsidised rate for basic A&E services, regardless of income, with payment processes varying by hospital and whether cases are emergencies.
He emphasized that no one is denied essential A&E services due to inability to pay and that patients facing financial difficulties can seek assistance from medical social workers.

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6 May 2019

Average CPF Balance of Persons in Different Income Groups and Proposal to Offer Differentiated CPF Interest Rates

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked for the average CPF balance across different income percentiles and whether differentiated interest rates could be offered to help lower-balance members grow their savings while reducing rates for high-balance members.
The Ministry of Manpower explained that the CPF system is already progressive, with contribution limits and tiered interest rates that benefit lower-balance members, such as extra interest on the first $60,000 and additional rates for those aged 55 and above.
CPF interest rates vary by account type, with higher rates on Special, Retirement, and MediSave Accounts, and further bonuses applied to the first $60,000 of combined balances, effectively giving higher returns to members with smaller balances.
The Ministry noted that CPF balances differ due to factors like age, income, employment, and withdrawals, and highlighted that over 60% of active members turning 55 in 2018 had met the Basic Retirement Sum, indicating progress toward retirement adequacy.
The debate focused on the existing progressive structure of CPF interest rates and the potential for further differentiation, while emphasizing that current policies already aim to support members with lower balances.

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6 May 2019

Pioneer Generation Fund (Amendment) Bill

The Merdeka Generation Package will provide benefits such as $100 PAssion Silver card top-ups, MediSave top-ups, MediShield Life premium subsidies, CHAS clinic subsidies, and a CareShield Life sign-up incentive to support seniors born between 1950 and 1959 in their healthcare and active living.
The Amendment Bill establishes the Merdeka Generation Fund with $6.1 billion set aside, which will be managed separately from the Pioneer Generation Fund and requires annual financial statements and audits for both funds.
Eligibility for the Merdeka Generation Package applies to Singapore citizens born between 1 January 1950 and 31 December 1959, with an appeals process for those born before 1950 who did not receive the Pioneer Generation Package.
Outreach efforts are underway through home visits, community events, workplaces, and media campaigns to ensure eligible seniors are informed and can access the benefits.
The Bill amends the existing Pioneer Generation Fund Act to rename it the "Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation Funds Act" and defines the governance, regulations, and benefits for the Merdeka Generation Fund.

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1 Apr 2019

Statistics on Households with at Least One Member over Age 65 Employing Foreign Domestic Workers from 2015 to 2018

Assoc Prof Walter Theseira requested data from 2015 to 2018 on the number and proportion of households with at least one member over age 65 employing foreign domestic workers, disaggregated by housing type, as well as the count of such households receiving the Foreign Domestic Worker Grant.
Mrs Josephine Teo provided figures showing the number and proportion of resident households with members aged 65 and above employing foreign domestic workers from 2015 to 2018, noting the concessionary levy rate for such households.
She also stated that as of December 2018, about 9,500 households caring for seniors aged 65 and above were receiving the Foreign Domestic Worker Grant, which supports families hiring a foreign domestic worker for seniors needing permanent assistance with daily activities.

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1 Apr 2019

CPF Members with and without Basic Retirement Sum in their Retirement Accounts on Reaching 55 in Last Three Years

Assoc Prof Walter Theseira requested data on CPF members turning 55 in 2016–2018 who set aside the Basic Retirement Sum, disaggregated by gender and housing type as a proxy for household income.
Ms Anthea Ong asked for the number and percentage of inactive CPF members broken down by gender, the percentage without the Basic Retirement Sum when they turned 55 in the last three years, and the difference in CPF balances between inactive men and women.
Mrs Josephine Teo noted that Basic Retirement Sum attainment has improved over time, narrowed the gap between men and women, and varies by housing type, with private property owners having the highest attainment and owners of smaller HDB flats the lowest.
She added that drawing conclusions from economically inactive members is difficult as they may have other means of support, but they can use voluntary top-ups or CPF transfers from family to save through the CPF system.

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1 Apr 2019

Extension of Fresh Start Housing Scheme to Bigger Flats for Big Families

Murali Pillai asked whether the Fresh Start Housing Scheme could be extended to allow larger families with three or more children to purchase bigger short-lease flats.
The Fresh Start Housing Scheme currently offers short-lease 2-room Flexi flats to second-timer families with young children in public rental flats, along with a housing grant to make ownership more affordable.
Lawrence Wong explained that many eligible families already struggle to afford 2-room Flexi flats despite the shorter leases and grants, making larger flats even less feasible.
He emphasized the need to encourage home ownership in a sustainable way without overextending families' finances, which limits the expansion to bigger flats.
The response highlighted the government's focus on balancing affordability and support for vulnerable families while maintaining fiscal prudence.

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1 Apr 2019

Priority for Senior Citizens Applying for Two-room Flexi Flats with Peers as Group Application

Gan Thiam Poh proposed giving priority to senior citizens applying for two-room Flexi flats in group applications so they can be neighbours with peers.
Lawrence Wong noted HDB already sets aside a high proportion of two-room Flexi flats for elderly applicants aged 55 and above, with stable application rates and most seniors invited to book flats.
He explained that seniors can use the Senior Priority Scheme to improve chances of living near their current home or married child, enabling them to be neighbours with one another in new projects.

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