Social welfare — Topics

10 Sep 2018

Criteria for Rental of Flats under HDB’s Public Rental Scheme

Murali Pillai questioned whether HDB’s Public Rental Scheme should calculate income ceilings and rent based on per capita household income instead of total monthly household income.
Lawrence Wong explained that HDB uses a needs-based approach, considering household size, expenses, and ability to pay when assessing rental applicants and tenants.
Most rental tenants have three or fewer members, with over half paying basic rents as low as $26–$33 monthly for 1-room flats and $44–$75 for 2-room flats.
HDB offers flexibility to adjust rents for tenants facing difficulties, based on individual circumstances.
The debate highlighted the current system’s focus on household income but acknowledged the potential relevance of per capita considerations in assessing affordability.

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10 Sep 2018

Annual Average Subsidy Disbursed Per CHAS Cardholder

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong asked for the annual average subsidy per CHAS cardholder since the scheme started and the projected annual expenditure for the next five years.
Minister Gan Kim Yong stated that in 2017, $154 million was disbursed to about 650,000 beneficiaries, averaging over $200 per beneficiary, compared to $13 million in 2012 for 75,000 beneficiaries, averaging about $170 per beneficiary.
The Ministry of Health plans to expand CHAS subsidies to all Singaporeans with chronic conditions, which will increase the total projected subsidies, though specific details are still being worked out.

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10 Sep 2018

Singaporeans Aged 55 and Above with Hospital Inpatient Treatment Bills Exceeding Daily MediSave Withdrawal Limits

Mr Zainal Sapari asked about the number of Singaporeans aged 55 and above whose inpatient hospital bills exceeded daily MediSave limits, the common reasons, and whether limits could be raised for unemployed elderly patients.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong explained that up to 80% means-tested subsidies, MediShield Life, and MediSave ensure most hospital bills are affordable, with over 70% of B2/C ward patients needing no cash and over 80% paying less than $100 cash.
He noted that MediSave withdrawal limits are generally sufficient due to existing schemes, and appeals for additional MediSave use or MediFund assistance are available for those with financial difficulties.
The Ministry regularly reviews MediSave limits in coordination with subsidies and MediShield Life, but any changes must consider impacts on CPF contributions and long-term MediSave adequacy.

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10 Sep 2018

Government Contributions or Subsidies for Wages of Long-term Care Workers

Christopher de Souza inquired about increasing government contributions or subsidies for the wages of long-term care workers, including those in voluntary welfare organisations.
The Ministry of Health has provided over $200 million in direct funding to 59 long-term care service providers between 2012 and 2017 to help defray operating costs, including manpower expenses, leading to an average salary increase of about 30% for local workers.
The government also supports skills training, scholarships, grants, productivity improvement, and job redesign initiatives to enhance the value of jobs alongside salary increases.
The Ministry will continue efforts to improve career opportunities in the long-term care sector and regularly review funding support for staff salaries to ensure adequate recognition.

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10 Sep 2018

Coverage of and Payouts to Disabled Persons under CareShield Life

Murali Pillai inquired whether severely disabled Singaporeans and residents would receive lifelong coverage and payouts under CareShield Life.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong confirmed that the national scheme provides lifetime coverage and payouts for eligible individuals as long as they remain severely disabled.
He emphasized that CareShield Life is a key pillar of Singapore’s social safety net for citizens and residents.

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10 Sep 2018

Seniors Receiving Home Personal Care Services and Current Waiting List

About 1,700 seniors receive Home Personal Care (HPC) services, with no overall waiting list across providers.
HPC fees average $23 per hour before subsidies, with eligible seniors receiving up to 80% in subsidies.
It is not meaningful to directly compare costs of subsidised nursing home care with HPC services, as they cater to different care needs.
Seniors facing financial difficulties can seek assistance from Medical Social Workers, including through MediFund.

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10 Sep 2018

Mechanisms to Ensure Affordability of School Bus Services to all School-going Children

Schools use a competitive bidding process to select bus operators, with fare competitiveness as a key factor, enhanced since 2015 to include more operators.
Government measures like COE exemptions and road tax rebates help lower operators’ costs, enabling more competitive fares.
MOE provides a transport subsidy covering 50% of monthly bus fares for primary students on the Financial Assistance Scheme since April 2015.
Approximately 3,600 primary students currently benefit from MOE’s transport subsidy.

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10 Sep 2018

Percentage of Mobile Phone Ownership by Income Group

Mobile phone ownership is high across all income groups, ranging from 88.7% for the lowest 20% of households to 99.7% for the 61st to 80th percentiles, according to the latest Household Expenditure Survey.
Mobile phones and related costs are included in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) basket, with the communications category experiencing a slight price decline of 0.2% per annum from 2012 to 2017, reflecting a competitive market.
The government acknowledges mobile phones as vital for digital services and is exploring support for low-income households, including communications needs in ComCare assistance and initiatives under the Digital Readiness Blueprint.

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10 Sep 2018

Claims and Payouts under CareShield Life

Gan Thiam Poh proposed allowing CareShield Life payouts for those unable to perform one ADL, receiving a prorated one-third of the monthly benefit, instead of the current requirement of three or more ADLs.
The Senior Minister of State for Health explained that expanding coverage to mild or moderate disabilities would raise premiums significantly, undermining affordability and sustainability, and suggested private supplements or other government schemes for such cases.
Gan Thiam Poh asked if the Ministry could offer an optional payout for one ADL, even with lower benefits or higher premiums, rather than requiring three ADLs.
The Minister responded that premium design would consider such options but noted that ElderShield supplements already provide coverage for fewer than three ADLs.

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10 Sep 2018

Full-time National Servicemen Requiring SAF Financial Hardship Assistance after Enlistment

Leon Perera requested statistics from the Ministry of Defence on NSF financial hardship assistance requests, recipients, average aid amounts, processing times, and related AWOL cases over five years.
The Senior Minister of State outlined the Term Financial Assistance scheme, noting about 120 NSFs receive aid monthly for an average of eight months, with applications processed within two weeks, and additional quick grants also available.
The Minister confirmed that financial hardship was cited by about 28 AWOL offenders annually (14% of cases), with very few re-offending after receiving help, and stressed that stern disciplinary action is taken alongside financial support and counselling.
Leon Perera asked about re-offending rates among AWOL cases citing financial hardship and whether NSFs are charged for taking unauthorized paid work; the Minister replied that re-offending is rare and advised NSFs to seek help rather than take prohibited work.

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10 Sep 2018

Installation of Elderly-friendly Facilities in Schools to Cater to Ageing Teaching Workforce and Those with Mobility Issues

K Thanaletchimi asked how many schools have elderly-friendly facilities like lifts and if there are plans to install them in schools that lack them.
The Ministry of Education responded that about 70% of government schools have lifts, with the remainder scheduled to get lifts within five years through major upgrades or a special programme.
The Ministry confirmed that teachers and other stakeholders are consulted on lift locations, considering demographics, student profiles, and teaching needs.
Thanaletchimi raised a concern about lifts being placed near gyms instead of mainstream classrooms, suggesting inadequate consultation on placement.
The Ministry acknowledged the specific case, promised to seek further details, and reiterated its commitment to addressing accessibility issues based on school priorities.

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10 Sep 2018

Measures to Help in the Selling of HDB or Private Properties with Less than 60-year Leases

The Minister confirmed that older HDB and private properties with leases under 60 years can still be sold, and the government is working with the CPF Board to review and provide more flexibility in using CPF funds for such purchases while ensuring retirement adequacy, with details to be shared later.
Elderly homeowners have alternative monetization options, including renting out their properties or selling part of their lease back to HDB under the extended Lease Buyback Scheme, which now includes larger flats to help more seniors unlock value.
Members raised concerns about the current CPF financing restrictions and the low take-up of the Lease Buyback Scheme, and the Minister acknowledged the need for policy reviews, including adjusting CPF proration rules, but noted that implementation may take time due to system updates.

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6 Aug 2018

Elderly Singaporeans without Family Support

Dr. Chia Shi-Lu asked for statistics and demographic profiles of elderly Singaporeans without family support, including those relying on state or charitable aid, those abandoned overseas or in care institutions, and their gender, age, and ethnicity.
Minister Desmond Lee reported that over 3,300 seniors aged 60 and above were receiving ComCare Long-Term Assistance by end-2017, with more than 60% male, over 70% aged 70 and above, and 85% Chinese, 8% Malay, and 6% Indian.
He also noted that slightly over 1,000 seniors aged 60 and above were in MSF-funded residential homes, with about 80% male, half aged 70 and above, and 71% Chinese, 17% Malay, and 11% Indian.
The Ministry does not have data on seniors abandoned overseas by their families.

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6 Aug 2018

Provision of Free Digital TV Starter Kits

Png Eng Huat questioned whether households that adopted digital TV early were penalized because they missed the initial conditional assistance scheme and thus could not access the new free starter kit or $100 voucher.
S Iswaran explained that the original 2014 DTV Assistance Scheme targeted low-income households, while the expanded 2018 DTV Starter Kit now allows all HDB households without pay-TV to redeem free equipment or a voucher.
He noted that households that switched early are not disadvantaged, as they can still redeem the starter kit for secondary TVs or as backup equipment if they meet eligibility criteria.
The government’s goal is to help as many households as possible continue enjoying free-to-air TV after the analogue signal ends in December 2018.

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6 Aug 2018

Average Life Expectancy of Disabled Persons Receiving Payouts under ElderShield

Murali Pillai asked for the average life expectancy of disabled persons receiving payouts under ElderShield and the expected average for future CareShield Life claimants.
The Ministry of Health stated that as of 2017, ElderShield claimants had an average payout duration of 2.8 years, with about one-third claiming for the full five or six years.
The ministry noted that the average duration of disability is higher than the payout duration, and three in ten severely disabled individuals are expected to remain in severe disability for 10 years or more.
CareShield Life, starting in 2020, will provide payouts for as long as a policyholder remains severely disabled, offering greater assurance for long-term care costs.
The ministry indicated that the average life expectancy of severely disabled Singaporeans is likely to increase in the future.

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6 Aug 2018

Special Employment Credit for Freelancers and Seniors Working in Shared Economy Sector

Mr Kwek Hian Chuan Henry asked if the Special Employment Credit (SEC) applies to seniors in the shared economy sector and freelancers, and what support exists for those earning under $4,000.
The SEC provides wage offsets to employers hiring seniors aged 55 and above earning up to $4,000 per month, but it does not cover self-employed freelancers who decide their own retirement age.
Alternative support includes the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) Scheme for employees and self-employed persons, offering higher cash payouts and CPF contributions for older workers earning up to $2,000 monthly.
The Adapt and Grow initiative, including the Career Support Programme, provides wage support to employers hiring older or retrenched jobseekers, and SEC incentivizes hiring older self-employed persons into regular jobs.

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6 Aug 2018

Foreign Domestic Worker Grant Eligibility for Those with Mentally Disabled Parents Living in Separate Households

Murali Pillai questioned why the FDW Grant treats differently the employment of foreign domestic workers by children to care for mentally disabled parents in separate households versus direct employment by the parents themselves through their children’s sponsorship.
The Minister explained that the grant, which provides $120 monthly, assesses eligibility based on the household income of the FDW employer to target lower- and middle-income families, regardless of whether the FDW is employed by a family member in a separate household or the care recipient.
The government consistently evaluates the financial means of the employer’s household to ensure aid goes to those directly responsible for paying the FDW salary, but will consider appeals from families with extenuating circumstances.

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6 Aug 2018

Proposal for Free Public Transport on Buses and MRT for Senior Citizens during Off-peak Hours

Gan Thiam Poh proposed free public transport for seniors above 75 during off-peak hours and audio announcements on buses to aid the elderly.
Khaw Boon Wan highlighted existing fare discounts for seniors, including up to 57% off, capped fares, early-bird discounts, monthly passes, and vouchers for lower-income seniors.
He noted that public transport fares are regularly reviewed for affordability and sustainability, with significant subsidies already provided, and that new buses will include audio announcements.

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6 Aug 2018

Subsidies for Early Intervention Programmes at Preschool Level

Mr. Leon Perera asked about the number of special needs children receiving subsidies under the Enhanced Pilot for Private Intervention Providers (PPIP) scheme and plans to increase the number and geographic distribution of PPIP centres.
The PPIP scheme complements the Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children (EIPIC) by providing developmental and therapy services for children aged zero to six at risk of moderate to severe developmental delays, with the same subsidies available for both programmes.
There are currently 21 EIPIC centres serving 3,000 children, and the number of PPIP providers has increased from six to 10, with an average of 115 children enrolled annually from 2015 to 2017.
The geographic spread of PPIP centres has been expanded from the Central, West, and East regions to include the North and North-East regions, ensuring wider accessibility for parents and children.

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11 Jul 2018

ITE Students Eligible for Financial Assistance

The Ministry of Education provides over 90% subsidy for ITE course fees and multiple financial assistance schemes (FAS) with outreach efforts via digital platforms, orientation, and proactive engagement to ensure eligible students are aware and can apply.
In Academic Year 2016, over 70% of ITE students received financial aid, aiming to support up to the 66th percentile of households by income, covering both low and middle-income families.
The Ministry plans to streamline applications by using the MOE ComCare Shared Assessment to avoid redundant forms, with this enhancement expected to start in the second half of the year.

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