Social welfare

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat raised concerns about the per-capita funding model for disability services and its impact on families accessing multiple service providers. Masagos Zulkifli B M M responded that the Ministry of Social and Family Development aims to ensure safe and effective services while keeping costs sustainable for families. The current model involves appointing service providers based on their capabilities and offering means-tested subsidies that follow the beneficiary. The Ministry cautioned against implementing portable subsidies and free market competition, noting that this could lead to inefficiencies and inequitable access, particularly for individuals with complex needs.

Assoc Prof Terence Ho highlighted the urgent need for a community-based caregiving corps as Singapore becomes a super-aged society, stressing proactive training for caregivers to alleviate the burden on hospitals and support families. Ng Chee Meng discussed the pressures faced by middle-income families and suggested enhancements to the Caregiver Support Action Plan, including expanding support for those caring for family members with milder disabilities. Alex Yeo emphasized the importance of preventive healthcare for seniors, advocating for screenings for dementia and osteoporosis, and called for more mental health support for the elderly. Azhar Othman proposed the use of video consultations to improve healthcare access for caregivers managing both elderly parents and young children, while Haresh Singaraju urged for better integration and activation of healthcare services to ensure continuity and effectiveness in patient care. Choo Pei Ling underscored the need for technology in healthcare that not only extends lifespan but also enhances independence and improves overall health outcomes for seniors.

Mariam Jaafar highlighted the shortcomings of the current Medisave and MediShield systems in addressing the growing needs for chronic and preventive healthcare, arguing for substantial reforms to better support long-term care and preventive measures. Emphasizing the need for a shift towards early disability support, fairer means testing, and the evolution of MediSave to fund preventive care, Jaafar called for a recalibration of health financing to encourage early action and sustainable health management. Pritam Singh and other MPs echoed concerns regarding sustainable healthcare in a rapidly aging population, discussing the inadequacy of MediSave withdrawal limits and pushing for improvements in the management of chronic diseases, along with workforce capacity to meet the increasing healthcare demands. The need for integrated community care and better recognition and support for caregivers was also raised, with proposals for pilot programs and policy adjustments to enhance care access and reduce caregiver burden. Lastly, discussions included the mental health crisis and emerging concerns about behavioral addictions such as problematic pornography use, advocating for national studies and community support frameworks to address these public health challenges effectively.

Dinesh Vasu Dash, the Minister of State for Manpower, clarified that the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) qualifying monthly wage cap of $3,000 aims to assist Singaporean workers in the bottom 20% of earners, with some support for those slightly above this threshold. He also announced an increase in WIS payments to a maximum of $4,900 per year. Following a session on 3 March 2026, he issued a written statement to correct his earlier remarks to ensure clarity.

Valerie Lee asked about the usage of SG60 vouchers among Singaporeans, specifically their usage in digital or physical formats and by age group, as well as measures to increase utilization. Edwin Tong Chun Fai highlighted that the SG60 vouchers were introduced to celebrate Singapore's 60th anniversary and provide financial support to citizens. Statistics showed a high claim rate of 97.7% for vouchers, with $3.995 billion spent, primarily supporting local businesses. The People's Association and grassroots leaders are actively reaching out to seniors to encourage usage, while partnerships with merchants aim to further boost engagement.

Cai Yinzhou questioned the Minister for Social and Family Development about the protocol for contacting unresponsive households through ComLink+, the number of families remaining uncontactable after various time intervals, and measures to monitor vulnerable children in these households. Masagos Zulkifli B M M responded that approximately 10% of families engaged remain unresponsive despite multiple contact attempts. Social Service Offices work with community partners to engage these families, and in cases of potential abuse or domestic violence, legal powers can be invoked to ensure access to children and appropriate interventions can be assessed by the Protective Service.

Hazlina Abdul Halim asked about how the Ministry of Social and Family Development tracks user satisfaction with ComLink+ and ensures consistent service quality among family coaches. Masagos Zulkifli explained that ComLink+ aims to support lower-income households in achieving stability, self-reliance, and social mobility across six domains. The Ministry does not formally collect feedback from families on their coaches but encourages direct feedback to Social Service Offices when necessary. New family coaches receive structured training on various competencies, and a Practice Guide has been developed to standardize best practices in support delivery.

Hazlina Abdul Halim asked about the structured support available for seniors to rebuild routines and social connections, as well as how initiatives like Active Ageing Centres and Age Well Neighbourhoods ensure meaningful engagement for seniors with complex conditions. Ong Ye Kung highlighted that the Age Well SG program includes Silver Generation Ambassadors who connect isolated seniors with buddying services and activities at Active Ageing Centres. These centres offer communal dining and volunteer opportunities to engage seniors, with targeted support for those with conditions like dementia or depression through specialized activities and community outreach teams.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked about the trend in utility bill arrears and support for lower-income households facing arrears. Goh Hanyan reported that the percentage of households in arrears for six months or more has decreased from 0.5% to 0.2% over the past five years. The Government offers targeted support like U-Save rebates for eligible households and various community and social assistance schemes, with flow restrictors installed for severe arrears rather than cut-offs. Abdul Muhaimin raised concerns about the U-Save rebate system not considering households with higher utility needs due to caregiving responsibilities, and Goh Hanyan acknowledged the need for further consideration of these circumstances for enhanced support.

Hamid Razak raised concerns about the CDC Vouchers eligibility for caregiving arrangements where related family members live at the same address, such as married children caring for aging parents. The Senior Parliamentary Secretary acknowledged the broad purpose of the CDC Vouchers Scheme and highlighted existing support measures for caregivers, including financial assistance programs. Hamid Razak noted specific cases in his constituency where blended family households are affected by the current rules, leading to difficulties in obtaining vouchers. He suggested considering household size and providing a calibrated approach to voucher distribution for larger households, a point acknowledged for further review by the Senior Parliamentary Secretary.

Lee Hong Chuang questioned the Prime Minister on whether the distribution of CDC vouchers to all Singaporean households, regardless of income, could worsen cost-of-living issues due to demand-pull inflation. Shawn Huang Wei Zhong responded that there is no evidence linking the CDC Vouchers Scheme to increased inflation, and noted that overall inflation has actually moderated. The government regularly assesses the effectiveness of its measures, including the Assurance Package, which has expanded to provide greater financial support during inflationary periods. Additionally, targeted support programs exist for vulnerable groups to help manage essential costs such as education and healthcare.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked about the number of workers reaching the retirement age who received the Employment Assistance Payment (EAP) in 2024 and 2025, as well as the average amount of EAP paid. Tan See Leng responded that over 98% of resident workers who reached retirement age and wanted to continue working were offered reemployment. In 2024, 0.4% received the EAP, while in 2025, the figure increased to 0.6%. The average EAP amounts were $12,300 in 2024 and $17,400 in 2025.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat questioned the rationale for maintaining a 60% CPF and 40% cash Workfare payout ratio for workers aged 70 and above due to their shorter life expectancy, and suggested a differentiated payout ratio for older workers. Tan See Leng explained that the Workfare Income Supplement aims to support lower-wage workers by balancing immediate cash needs with CPF savings for the future. Despite the same ratio for older workers, the CPF contributions support medical expenses and retirement payouts. The Ministry plans to enhance total WIS payments from 2025, increasing cash amounts for seniors. Additional support measures for cost-of-living concerns include U-Save rebates and special cash payments for eligible households.

David Hoe asked whether there has been an increase in citizens experiencing financial stress-related mental health issues when seeking social assistance over the past three years and what interventions are being developed. Masagos Zulkifli B M M responded that clients with mental health concerns are referred to community mental health teams for support. It was noted that the ComCare assessment does not require applicants to disclose mental health information to avoid deterring those in need from applying for assistance.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat questioned the Ministry for Social and Family Development about whether the current binary fee structure for Day Activity Centres (DACs) limits access for middle-income families. He suggested considering tiered service options, such as part-time attendance or co-payment scales, to enhance accessibility. Masagos Zulkifli clarified that the fee structure for DACs is actually tiered based on per capita household income, and clients have the option to enroll on a part-time basis with pro-rated fees.

Wan Rizal inquired about the possibility of extending the enhanced Matched Retirement Savings Scheme or introducing a new matching scheme for vulnerable workers facing career interruptions. Tan See Leng responded that vulnerable individuals can already benefit from the enhanced Matched Retirement Savings Scheme and other support measures like the Silver Support Scheme and Retirement Savings Bonus. The government prioritizes supporting younger Singaporeans in building their retirement savings and returning to work, offering various employment facilitation services and the Workfare Income Supplement for those returning to the workforce. Additionally, tripartite partners are promoting flexible work arrangements to aid those needing flexibility.

Wan Rizal asked about the take-up rates of the enhanced Matched Retirement Savings Scheme since January 2025, focusing on age, gender, and sources of top-ups compared to 2024. Tan See Leng reported that enhancements in 2025 led to a significant increase in grant recipients, from approximately 103,000 in 2024 to about 250,000. The age distribution revealed that 45% of recipients in 2025 were aged 55-70 and 55% were above 70, while all recipients in 2024 were aged 55-70. Gender distribution showed 62% of 2025 recipients were female, slightly down from 65% in 2024, and the sources of top-ups indicated 52% of recipients topped up themselves in 2025, compared to 53% in 2024.

Yip Hon Weng asked about the establishment of a standardized care pathway for elderly residents with possible hearing loss, including processes for screening and support. Ong Ye Kung confirmed that there are existing care pathways, such as Project Silver Screen, which facilitates hearing screenings at community locations. Seniors identified with hearing issues are referred for diagnostic assessments at Community Audiology Clinics, and those needing hearing aids receive fitting services there. Eligible seniors can access subsidized hearing aids through the Seniors' Mobility and Enabling Fund, with additional support available for those requiring more advanced devices like cochlear implants.

Yip Hon Weng asked the Prime Minister about the omission of a breakdown of wealth inequality by asset class in the Ministry's Occasional Paper on Income Growth, Inequality, and Social Mobility Trends, and whether such a breakdown by age cohort would be provided. Jeffrey Siow responded that this question had already been addressed in a previous Parliament sitting on 25 February 2026.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked about the attendance of first-time newlywed Muslim couples at the Cinta Abadi Marriage Preparation Programme and inquired about fee waivers for students. Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim reported that approximately one in seven first-time Muslim couples have participated in the program since 2021. The Ministry of Social and Family Development offers a rebate of $170 for eligible Singaporean couples attending their first approved program, with full subsidies available for low-income households.