Social welfare — Topics

11 Feb 2019

Visits to Polyclinics by Elderly Persons and Basis for Setting Withdrawal Limits for Healthcare Schemes

Zainal Sapari asked about elderly outpatient clinic visits, the basis for MediSave withdrawal limits of $500 and $200, and whether limits can be raised based on savings.
Gan Kim Yong stated that elderly patients with chronic conditions average six clinic visits per year with $200 bills, while those without average three visits with $60 bills, and that withdrawal limits are reviewed to balance current use and future savings.
The limits are deemed adequate for most, with case-by-case appeals and MediFund referrals available, but higher limits based on savings are cautious due to risks of depleting funds for future needs.

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11 Feb 2019

Proposal for Government to Increase Funding for Special Education Schools

Ong Teng Koon proposed increasing government funding for Special Education (SPED) schools to expand means test criteria and help families manage educational expenses for children with special needs.
Ong Ye Kung highlighted that SPED schools already receive significantly higher funding than mainstream schools, with regular reviews and steady increases to address different learning needs and rising costs.
The government subsidizes a substantial proportion of SPED costs, provides a Financial Assistance Scheme covering fees and other expenses, and has revised eligibility criteria to support more low-income families.
Schools can exercise discretion to extend support to families who may not meet formal eligibility criteria, ensuring cost does not hinder access to SPED education.
The government commits to collaborating with voluntary welfare organizations running SPED schools to maintain affordability and accessibility for all students.

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15 Jan 2019

Percentage of Recipients under Silver Support Scheme Who are Women

Ms Foo Mee Har asked for the percentage of female recipients and the quarterly payout amount for women versus men under the Silver Support Scheme.
In 2018, about 148,000 elderly received Silver Support payouts, with 65% being female.
The median quarterly payout was $600 for both female and male recipients, corresponding to the payout for those living in a 3-room HDB flat.

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15 Jan 2019

Successful Appeals for Earlier Withdrawal of CPF Payouts

In the past three years, about 65% of CPF members' appeals for earlier payout withdrawal under the Medical Grounds Scheme were successful, with disallowance mainly due to applicants not meeting eligibility conditions such as permanent incapacity or terminal illness.
The Ministry for Manpower highlighted that the CPF payout eligibility age remains at 65, aligning with international standards and increasing longevity, and does not plan to lower it despite suggestions for an optional earlier payout at age 62 with reduced sums.
A Tripartite Workgroup on Older Workers is reviewing retirement and re-employment ages, with the Ministry prioritizing consensus on these ages before considering any changes to CPF payout eligibility.

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15 Jan 2019

Review MediShield Life's Claim Limits to Address Gaps

The Ministry of Health explained that MediShield Life is part of a broader financing framework that includes subsidies, MediSave, and MediFund to keep healthcare affordable, noting that while claim limits are necessary to keep premiums reasonable, they will be reviewed more regularly (every three years) to address gaps like the recent low payout case, which was attributed to a complex procedure and high charges, though MediSave covered the patient's out-of-pocket cost.
MPs raised concerns about the adequacy of MediShield Life coverage, especially for elderly patients and complex procedures, suggesting reviews of hospital charges, more frequent adjustments to claim limits, and greater transparency on premiums and reserves to ensure public confidence and affordability.
The Minister acknowledged the need to monitor and manage healthcare costs, including considering technological advances like day surgeries in claim limit reviews, and assured that financial assistance schemes like MediFund are available, while emphasizing that the entire financing framework works together to provide holistic coverage and sustainability.

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14 Jan 2019

Percentages of Students Living in HDB Flats under Public Rental Scheme

Louis Ng Kok Kwang requested the Minister for Education to provide the percentages of students living in HDB flats under the Public Rental Scheme who entered the Normal (Technical), Normal (Academic), and Express streams over the past five years.
Ong Ye Kung noted that socio-economic status correlates with academic performance, leading to higher representation of public rental scheme students in Normal streams compared to Express streams.
The Ministry of Education is implementing measures like the Uplifting Pupils in Life and Inspiring Families Taskforce (UPLIFT) to support students from lower-income families.

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14 Jan 2019

Percentages of Students on Financial Assistance Scheme

Louis Ng asked for the percentages of students receiving MOE Financial Assistance Scheme from the Normal (Technical), Normal (Academic), and Express streams over the past five years.
Ong Ye Kung replied that from 2014 to 2018, 28% of assisted students were from Normal (Technical), 41% from Normal (Academic), and 31% from Express streams.
The percentages were noted to be similar across each of the five years.

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14 Jan 2019

Median, Average and Range of Balances in CPF Members' MediSave Accounts in Last Five Years on Their Demise

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong asked the Minister for Health about the median, average, and range of balances in CPF members' MediSave accounts over the last five years upon their passing.
Gan Kim Yong responded that between 2013 and 2017, half of Singaporeans aged 65 and above who passed away had about $5,500 or less in their MediSave accounts.
For those who passed away at 85 or older, half had $4,000 or less left in their MediSave accounts.
The data is summarized in a table, and some members benefited from the Pioneer Generation Package, which includes annual MediSave top-ups of up to $800 and additional MediShield Life premium subsidies.

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14 Jan 2019

Calculation of CPF Ordinary Account Interest Rate

Assoc Prof Walter Theseira questioned whether the CPF OA interest rate calculation, based on indicative bank fixed deposit and savings rates, accurately reflects actual market deposit rates, considering banks' bonus interest schemes, and asked if the Ministry would study alternative methods to reflect average weighted interest rates and their impact on retirement adequacy.
Mrs Josephine Teo explained that CPF interest rates are pegged to comparable market investments, with the OA rate set at the higher of a three-month average of major local banks' rates or the legislated minimum 2.5% per annum, noting that the current computed rate is 0.4%, so the OA rate remains at 2.5%.
She added that banks' bonus rates are not comparable to CPF rates due to conditions like spending or salary credits and caps, making them non-uniform, and suggested members could transfer OA savings to the Special Account for higher interest rates of 4% to 6% per annum, citing significant transfers in 2017.

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14 Jan 2019

Plan to Address Psychosocial and Mental Health Needs of Caregivers

The Ministry of Health outlined its current multi-faceted approach, which includes expanding day and home care places, making respite care more accessible, and providing emotional and psychosocial support through community outreach and intervention teams.
Specific initiatives for caregivers of persons with disabilities were highlighted, such as the "Caregiver Pod" under the Third Enabling Masterplan, alongside efforts to foster peer support networks and encourage ground-up community programs.
The Minister acknowledged that more can be done, confirming that a review is underway to strengthen support for senior caregiving, with the Ministry actively engaging caregivers and stakeholders to develop new recommendations for care navigation and socio-emotional support.

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14 Jan 2019

Extent of Homelessness Problem in Last Three Years

The Ministry reported that between 2015 and 2017, an average of 385 homelessness cases were assisted annually through transitional shelters and welfare homes, with social workers addressing underlying issues like employment and family conflict.
Homelessness is often linked to financial difficulties, family disputes, or disputes with co-tenants, and the government provides housing options like public rental flats and interim rental housing, alongside holistic support from multiple agencies.
The Ministry is strengthening interagency coordination with HDB and community groups to provide upstream support and enhance shelter models, while encouraging the public to report homelessness cases to relevant hotlines or offices for assistance.

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14 Jan 2019

Subsidy Level for Patients with Private Insurance Coverage for Hospitalisation but Not Outpatient Treatment

Gan Thiam Poh asked about the number of appeals for subsidized outpatient care from patients with private insurance that only covers hospitalization and whether such patients can still receive subsidized outpatient treatment at polyclinics and public hospitals.
Gan Kim Yong stated that all Singaporeans are eligible for subsidized outpatient treatments at polyclinics and public hospitals, regardless of their insurance coverage, and outlined specific eligibility criteria for Specialist Outpatient Clinics.
He noted that patients may switch from private to subsidized care due to financial reasons, with an average of about 4,000 such requests annually over the past five years, assessed case-by-case by healthcare providers.
Patients facing financial difficulties are encouraged to approach medical social workers to discuss available support options.

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14 Jan 2019

Proposal to Allow Grandparents and Grandchildren to Be Considered as Family Nucleus under Public Rental Scheme

Joan Pereira asked if grandparents and grandchildren could be considered a family nucleus under the HDB Public Rental Scheme.
The Minister for National Development stated that HDB assesses rental requests on a needs basis.
HDB will assist households not meeting eligibility criteria, like grandparents with grandchildren, if they cannot buy a flat and have no other housing options or family support.

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14 Jan 2019

Review Qualifying Income and Other Criteria for Workfare Income Supplement Scheme

The Minister of State for Manpower confirmed that the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) scheme is under regular review, with the qualifying income ceiling last revised in 2017, and that the review will consider recent income increases before announcing updates.
The government highlighted that WIS is part of a broader support framework, with most recipients also receiving additional aid like U-Save rebates, GST vouchers, and medical subsidies, and emphasized a focus on skills upgrading and employment progression over a "living wage" approach.
Officials noted that real wages at the 20th percentile grew faster than the median from 2012 to 2017, and that many WIS recipients own their homes, contrasting with global norms for low-income workers.
Concerns about workers in informal employment were acknowledged, with the government prioritizing their transition to formal work for stability and CPF savings, while directing them to existing support like Social Service Offices and other schemes.
The Minister indicated openness to exploring studies on informal workers but stressed the challenges in assessing their income and the long-term goal of integrating them into the formal workforce for better support and career advancement.

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20 Nov 2018

Successful First-timer Applicants Receiving CPF Housing Grants in Last Three Years

From July 2015 to June 2018, about 47,700 first-timer households received CPF housing grants for their flat purchase, with grants tiered by income to provide more assistance to lower-income households.
First-timer households can receive up to $80,000 in grants for new HDB flats (Special CPF Housing Grant and Additional CPF Housing Grant) and up to $120,000 for resale flats (including Proximity Housing Grant).
After accounting for housing grants, nearly 80% of first-timer households paid $400,000 or less for their HDB flat, whether purchased directly from HDB or from the resale market.

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20 Nov 2018

Appeals by Singaporeans Aged 62 and Above to Use MediSave Beyond Withdrawal Limit

Over the past two years, about 200 appeals were made by Singaporeans aged 62 and above to use MediSave beyond withdrawal limits, with approximately half approved on a case-by-case basis considering treatment complexity, complications, and financial hardship.
The Ministry of Health stated that MediSave withdrawal limits are generally sufficient, with 92% of post-subsidy hospitalisation and day surgery bills covered by MediShield Life and MediSave in 2017, and most elderly patients in subsidised wards paying little to no cash.
There are no plans to lift the withdrawal limit, but the government has enhanced outpatient subsidies, introduced MediShield Life, and raised MediSave limits for chronic care and flexi-use to support the elderly.
The ministry will continue monitoring affordability and consider appeals for excess usage, while balancing any future limit increases against the long-term sustainability of MediSave accounts.

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20 Nov 2018

Recourse for Children with Chronic Conditions Who Are Refused Health Insurance and Not Eligible for MediFund

The Minister outlined that all Singaporean children can access government subsidies, MediSave, and MediShield Life regardless of private insurance status, with additional support available via MediFund for those needing further financial help.
Subsidies of up to 75% for outpatient care and 80% for inpatient hospital care are available, along with CHAS subsidies for chronic conditions, which will soon extend to all Singaporeans.
MediSave can be used for chronic disease management under the Chronic Disease Management Programme, and newborns receive a $4,000 MediSave Grant, with parental MediSave also available for children’s medical bills.
MediShield Life covers all Singaporean children from birth for conditions like cancer and congenital issues, while MediFund committees have flexibility to assist middle-income patients facing special circumstances.
The government’s existing framework provides multiple layers of support, ensuring children with chronic conditions are not left without recourse for medical needs.

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20 Nov 2018

Structural Gaps in Existing Support Programmes for Low-income and Vulnerable Families

Minister Desmond Lee acknowledged that while outcomes for low-income families have improved, structural gaps persist, particularly in intergenerational mobility, economic insecurity, and the need for more coordinated, holistic support.
The government is investing earlier in children’s education for disadvantaged families, expanding preschool access, and partnering community groups like Temasek Foundation to provide night care for children of night-shift workers.
To address economic insecurity, schemes like Workfare Income Supplement, Adapt and Grow, and SkillsFuture are being enhanced to support lower-wage workers, reskill the unemployed, and promote lifelong learning.
Agencies are working to improve service coordination by sharing information, appointing lead agencies for complex cases, and setting up community spaces near rental housing to tailor support for vulnerable families.
The government is strengthening whole-of-society efforts through the SG Cares Community Network and cross-agency collaborations to pool resources and co-create localized programs for low-income and vulnerable groups.

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20 Nov 2018

Applications for Financial Assistance Scheme in Past Five Years

The Ministry of Education received a query about the number of applications for the Financial Assistance Scheme over the past five years, the success rate, reasons for unsuccessful cases, and a request to review and raise the per capita income criterion to assist more middle- and low-income students.
The Minister stated that education in Singapore is highly subsidised, with the MOE Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) targeting low-income students and having its income eligibility cap raised in 2018, and that about 51,000 students currently benefit from FAS.
The Minister noted there is no cap on FAS awards, all eligible students receive support, and students not qualifying for FAS can receive school-based financial assistance with resources provided by MOE.

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20 Nov 2018

Lowering CPF Payout Age

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah proposed lowering the CPF payout age to match the retirement age and allowing early withdrawals for members who must retire early.
The Minister for Manpower, Mrs Josephine Teo, stated there are no plans to lower the CPF Payout Eligibility Age, which is currently 65, as it was raised to account for longer lifespans and ensure adequate retirement savings.
She highlighted that over 98% of workers reaching retirement age are offered re-employment, and early CPF withdrawals are only considered for valid medical grounds or on a case-by-case basis after assessing retirement adequacy.
For those not re-employed, the government provides job assistance programs and social support, including ComCare, to help members find new work or manage financial difficulties instead of depleting retirement savings early.
The response emphasized that further depleting CPF savings through early withdrawals is not in the member's interest, and support systems are in place to help members return to work or access assistance.

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