Social welfare — Topics

20 Nov 2018

Social Safety Net for Disabled who Need Institutional Long-term Care Beyond ElderShield

The government provides multiple supports for severe disability, including ElderShield, CareShield Life, government subsidies up to 75% for nursing homes, MediFund, and new schemes like ElderFund and MediSave withdrawals.
CareShield Life covers those born in 1980 or later, and ElderFund offers monthly assistance for low-income severely disabled citizens who cannot join CareShield or have low MediSave.
Additional programs like the Interim Disability Assistance Programme for the Elderly and Pioneer Generation Disability Assistance Scheme provide further cash payouts for eligible groups.
The Ministry is open to considering special support for severely disabled individuals who have exhausted ElderShield and face financial difficulties.
Overall, the social safety net combines insurance, subsidies, savings, and discretionary aid to address long-term care needs.

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19 Nov 2018

Outreach and Support for People with Physical and Other Disabilities in Singapore

Ms Yip Pin Xiu asked for statistics on people with physical, intellectual, and sensory disabilities in Singapore, and whether their details could be shared with voluntary welfare organisations for outreach and support while protecting privacy.
Minister Desmond Lee stated that persons with sensory and physical disabilities make up about half of the disability population, with the remainder comprising intellectual disabilities, autism, and other types.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development is collaborating with the Department of Statistics to include disability-related questions in the 2020 population census to improve planning for services and programs.
Data from the census will be used to consider sharing appropriate information with voluntary welfare organisations and help agencies, but any sharing will require consent to safeguard individual privacy.
The government’s approach aims to balance the need for outreach and support with the protection of personal data for persons with disabilities.

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19 Nov 2018

Singaporeans Aged 65 and above with Lasting Power of Attorney

Joan Pereira asked about the number of Singaporeans aged 65 and above who have made a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) and how the government can better reach out to seniors to do so, especially given rising mental distress.
Desmond Lee stated that out of 51,000 LPAs made, 23,000 were by Singaporeans aged 65 and above.
The Office of the Public Guardian is raising awareness through talks, community touchpoints, the Silver Generation Office, and media, while the Professional Deputies and Donees scheme supports seniors without family support.
The application fee waiver for LPA Form 1 for Singapore Citizens has been extended to 31 August 2020 to encourage more seniors to create an LPA.

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19 Nov 2018

Applications for Work Injury Compensation (Workers' Fund)

Mr Melvin Yong asked the Minister for Manpower about the number of applications and beneficiaries of the Work Injury Compensation (Workers' Fund) and plans to increase awareness, with the Minister responding that since 2005, 51 applications were received and about $1 million paid out in 34 cases to assist employees or their dependants not compensated by employers.
The Workers' Fund was initially targeted at those in financial hardship but its eligibility was broadened in 2017 to assist all affected employees and their families regardless of financial situation.
The Ministry of Manpower informs eligible employees or their dependants about the Fund when they are not compensated for work injuries to ensure awareness and access to assistance.

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19 Nov 2018

Additional CPF Housing Grant and Special CPF Housing Grant for First-time Buyers of HDB Flats in Mature Estates

Kwek Hian Chuan Henry asked if the Additional CPF Housing Grant and Special CPF Housing Grant can be extended to first-time buyers of HDB flats in mature estates to help them live near their parents.
Lawrence Wong explained that the Additional CPF Housing Grant is already available to all eligible first-timer families buying new flats in both mature and non-mature estates, while the Special CPF Housing Grant is targeted at smaller flats in non-mature estates to encourage prudence.
The government provides priority schemes and purpose-built 3Gen flats to support families wishing to live together or near each other, and first-time buyers of resale flats can receive up to $120,000 in grants regardless of estate type.
These measures reflect the government's ongoing commitment to affordable public housing and support for family proximity, with policies regularly reviewed to maintain their effectiveness.

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19 Nov 2018

Allowing CPF Members to Complete Purchase of HDB Flats By Using Retirement Account Funds

Murali Pillai asked about the circumstances and percentage limits under which CPF members aged 55 can use Retirement Account funds to complete HDB flat purchases if their savings fall below the Basic Retirement Sum.
Josephine Teo explained that RA funds are typically reserved for retirement income, but CPF Board allows flexibility in exceptional cases, considering retirement adequacy and outstanding loan amounts.
In specific appeals, the Board may permit using RA savings up to the amount originally from the Ordinary Account, even if it reduces RA savings below the Basic Retirement Sum.
The approach balances members' housing needs with safeguarding retirement savings, with decisions made on a case-by-case basis.

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19 Nov 2018

Legal Aid and Advice (Amendment) Bill

The Legal Aid and Advice (Amendment) Bill aims to simplify the means criteria for legal aid eligibility by shifting from disposable income and capital to per capita household income and annual value of residence, aligning with other social support schemes.
It grants the Minister greater flexibility to direct legal aid for applicants who do not meet the means criteria but face extenuating circumstances, such as major medical expenses.
The Bill improves administration by empowering the Director of Legal Aid to appoint and train Specialist Legal Executives for certain cases, streamline the merits test for straightforward matters, and allow aided persons to obtain additional court documents free of charge.

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2 Oct 2018

Tracking of Financial Situations of Comcare's Assistance Recipients after Gaining Employment

Louis Ng asked if the Ministry tracks the financial situations of Comcare short- to medium-term assistance recipients after they gain employment, and how many reapply for assistance within a year of their assistance ending.
Desmond Lee explained that Comcare is part of a broader support system, with Social Service Offices tracking clients' situations during assistance and continuing support if incomes are insufficient.
The Ministry noted that some recipients may still receive help for a period after gaining employment to achieve financial stability.
The Ministry does not have readily available data on how many recipients reapply for assistance within a year after their assistance ends.

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2 Oct 2018

Transition Period for HDB Dwellers on Welfare Assistance to Adjust to Higher Rent from Salary Increase

Joan Pereira asked if HDB dwellers on welfare assistance who receive a salary increase can be given a transition period before facing higher rent based on their new income.
Lawrence Wong explained that HDB already provides a rent transition period for public rental tenants when their income rises, including waiving rent increases for up to two tenancy terms under certain income thresholds.
HDB collaborates with Social Service Offices to support families on ComCare schemes, with rent determined through individual assessments for those on Short-to-Medium Term Assistance and automatic eligibility for the lowest rent tier for those on Long Term Assistance.

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2 Oct 2018

Elderly Parents Rendered Homeless after Being Chased out of Adult Children's Flats Bought with Proceeds from Elderly Parents' Flats

Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar asked the Minister for National Development about the number of elderly parents rendered homeless after their adult children used the proceeds from their parents' sold flats to buy new flats and then chased the parents out.
The Minister for National Development replied that HDB does not have specific data on such cases and highlighted available support channels like Family Service Centres and the Office of the Commissioner for the Maintenance of Parents.
The Minister added that if mediation fails, elderly parents can apply for maintenance through the Tribunal for the Maintenance of Parents, and HDB will consider allocating rental flats to those with no other housing options.

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2 Oct 2018

Legal Aid Applications by Family Members of Mentally Disabled for Appointment as Deputies

Murali Pillai asked whether legal aid applications by family members to act as deputies for mentally disabled persons could be assessed under the expanded means test meant for the disabled person.
K Shanmugam clarified that applications must be in the family member’s name and assessed on their means, as deputyship proceedings are commenced by the applicant.
The Ministry of Law plans to restructure the means test to use per capita household income, which includes both the applicant’s and the disabled person’s income if they live together, and to offer more flexibility for extenuating circumstances.
He encouraged Singaporeans to plan ahead with a Lasting Power of Attorney to avoid the need for court-appointed deputies, noting the fee waiver has been extended to 31 August 2020.

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2 Oct 2018

Number of Day Activity Centres for Special Needs Persons

The Minister reported there are currently 30 Day Activity Centres (DACs) serving about 1,200 clients, with approximately 200 young adults aged 18-21, supported by 70 professionals and 250 direct care workers.
The Ministry is addressing post-18 transition challenges by working with SPED schools to provide pre-graduation orientation for caregivers and is exploring SkillsFuture certification to enhance employment prospects for DAC clients.
The Minister indicated that consolidating DACs into specialized centres is not feasible, but the Ministry ensures quality through guidelines, audits, and collaboration with VWOs to improve services.
A Member suggested forming a task force to address high operational costs and the growing needs of adults with disabilities beyond age 21, and the Minister expressed openness to such a collaborative approach.
Both sides emphasized community involvement and inclusive support, with the Minister inviting the Member to serve on any future task force to contribute insights for improving services for persons with disabilities.

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2 Oct 2018

Elderly Residents Who Do Not Participate in Lease Buyback Scheme but Seek Financial Assistance from Help Schemes

Murali Pillai raised concerns about seniors who decline the Lease Buyback Scheme but apply for financial aid from help schemes.
Desmond Lee explained that ComCare serves as a safety net, encouraging seniors to monetize assets first, with referrals for Lease Buyback while offering interim support.
The Minister noted that seniors may have valid reasons for not taking up the scheme, such as subletting or wanting to pass the flat to children, and assured continued assistance.
He emphasized that each case is unique, with support coordinated across various schemes, and social workers work to understand and address individual concerns.
The approach focuses on family and community support first, with the state stepping in as a last resort to ensure basic needs are met.

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1 Oct 2018

Next Review of Public Assistance Scheme

Seah Kian Peng asked the Minister for Social and Family Development when the next review of the Public Assistance scheme would take place.
The scheme, officially called ComCare Long-Term Assistance, provides monthly cash and medical support for permanently unable-to-work individuals lacking family support.
The Ministry regularly reviews the scheme to ensure it meets low-income needs, with the last enhancement in 2016 to raise cash assistance rates.
A latest review is currently underway.

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1 Oct 2018

Number and Percentage of Eligible CPF Members Making Withdrawals from Age 55 in Last Five Years

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong asked for the number and percentage of eligible CPF members who withdrew funds after turning 55 in the last five years, the average amount withdrawn, how many withdrew to the limit, and details on those eligible or withdrawing only $5,000.
Mrs Josephine Teo replied that among 186,000 CPF members who turned 55 from 2014 to 2016, 109,000 (59%) made withdrawals within a year, with an average of $34,000 withdrawn.
Of those 109,000 withdrawers, about 68,000 (62%) took out the maximum allowable amount, while of 105,000 eligible to withdraw up to $5,000, around 60,000 (57%) did so.
The government also provides additional retirement support through schemes like Workfare Income Supplement and Silver Support, with hundreds of millions disbursed to lower-income and senior Singaporeans.
These figures cover three specific cohorts and are based on available data, with ongoing efforts to support retirement adequacy through multiple measures.

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1 Oct 2018

Extension of Additional Financial Support to Mothers Who Require Healthcare Due to Pregnancy Complications

Christopher de Souza asked whether the Ministry of Health would extend additional financial support for couples dealing with pregnancy complications and for expectant mothers who struggle to obtain maternity insurance due to past complications.
Gan Kim Yong noted that Singaporeans receive up to 80% subsidy for inpatient treatments and up to 70% for subsidised outpatient specialist care, with most expectant mothers in B2/C class wards paying less than $500 after subsidies and MediSave.
Couples facing financial difficulties can seek assistance from medical social workers at public hospitals, including access to MediFund.
The Ministry of Health is reviewing how MediShield Life can better cover inpatient treatments for serious pregnancy and delivery complications and will share details once ready.

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1 Oct 2018

Eligibility of Unemployed Single Person above 35 years old with Disability for Additional and Special CPF Housing Grants

An unemployed single person above 35 years old with a disability is not automatically eligible for the Additional CPF Housing Grant or Special CPF Housing Grant when buying an HDB flat under the Singles Scheme, as eligibility typically requires at least one applicant to have worked continuously for 12 months before application.
The grants are intended for low- to middle-income households with steady employment to ensure long-term financial ability to service housing loans and sustain flat ownership.
Individuals unfit for work due to disability can apply for the grants with eligible family members or other singles under the Joint Singles Scheme.
For those wishing to buy a flat alone under the Single Singapore Citizen Scheme, HDB may assess requests on a case-by-case basis, considering medical certification of disability and the ability to sustain the purchase long-term without employment.

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1 Oct 2018

Review of Criteria for Lease Buyback Scheme

Mr Gan Thiam Poh and Mr Alex Yam raised questions about the Lease Buyback Scheme (LBS), including the number of households that have joined, flat-type breakdowns, exceptions, rejections, and the possibility of lowering the minimum age requirement.
Minister Lawrence Wong reported that about 3,100 households have used the LBS since 2009, with rejections mainly due to not meeting the age requirement of 65, though HDB has granted about 50 exceptions since April 2015 for circumstances like ill health or financial difficulty.
Miss Cheng Li Hui highlighted a specific case of a resident aged 65 being rejected due to his wife not meeting the age criterion, prompting the Minister to offer to review the case separately if more details are provided.

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10 Sep 2018

Stakeholders Registered under SG Enable or Have Employment Programmes for Special Needs Adults

SG Enable and its partners have collaborated with over 1,000 employers to hire persons with disabilities, offering advisory services, training, job placement, and support.
The government provides financial incentives like the Special Employment Credit and grants under the Open Door Programme to assist employers in hiring and integrating persons with disabilities.
Initiatives such as the annual Inclusive Business Forum and the Enabling Employers Network aim to share best practices and encourage more inclusive hiring.
Efforts are underway under the Third Enabling Masterplan to enhance job opportunities, refine training programs, and collaborate with industry leaders.
MSF continues to work with partners to expand employer participation and improve workplace adaptations for persons with disabilities.

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10 Sep 2018

Update on Assistance Provided to Sungei Road Hawking Zone Users

The Sungei Road Hawking Zone was closed on 10 July 2017, with agencies providing financial, employment, and social support such as hawker stalls, flea market referrals, and job placement.
As of the latest update, about 100 out of 200 engaged users have received assistance, including 40 with hawker stalls, 30 at other flea markets, and 30 with employment or financial support.
Approximately 100 users have declined assistance, likely due to other support means like employment or family, and the government continues to engage those who come forward.

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