Social welfare — Topics

4 Nov 2014

Update on Benefits of Community Health Assist Scheme

The Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) currently benefits around 1.1 million Singaporeans, including Pioneer Generation members, with subsidies totalling $42 million given to 260,000 people in the first eight months of 2014.
The Ministry of Health is working with grassroots and other organizations to increase CHAS enrollment among eligible Singaporeans and expand the number of participating GP and dental clinics.
MOH actively monitors CHAS claims, conducts audits, and engages clinics to prevent overcharging, while encouraging transparency in fees and patient-doctor communication.

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3 Nov 2014

Number of Individuals and Households Receiving Assistance under ComCare

Yee Jenn Jong asked for ComCare statistics to be reported as the number of unique individuals and households receiving assistance, excluding duplicates from multiple assistance forms.
Chan Chun Sing confirmed that in Financial Year 2013, 41,036 unique households and 79,333 unique individuals received ComCare assistance for subsistence, kindergarten, and student care needs.
The response indicated the statistics are already provided in the form of unique households and individuals, addressing the request to strip out duplication effects.

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3 Nov 2014

Take-up Rate of VWOs-Charities Capability Fund

K Karthikeyan asked the Ministry for Social and Family Development about the annual take-up rate of the VWOs-Charities Capability Fund (VCF) for the past three years and plans to encourage more use of the funds for staff training.
Chan Chun Sing responded that the VCF supports capability building for VWOs and charities, with over 10,000 grant applications approved since April 2012 and nearly $30 million in total funding.
The National Council of Social Service administers the VCF and is actively promoting it through various platforms to boost applications.
NCSS will continue its outreach efforts to encourage more VWOs and charities to utilize the available funds.

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3 Nov 2014

Coverage of Costs of TCM in Pioneer Generation Package

Tin Pei Ling asked if the Pioneer Generation Package could cover costs of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
The Minister for Health replied that Pioneer Generation subsidies apply only to subsidised services and drugs at public healthcare institutions, GP, and dental clinics under CHAS, not to TCM clinics.
TCM is considered complementary medicine and is therefore excluded from Pioneer Generation subsidies.
Seniors seeking TCM can access affordable services through over 40 charitable TCM organisations in the community.

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3 Nov 2014

Silver Support Scheme

K Karthikeyan requested details on the Silver Support Scheme prior to the 2015 Budget.
Tharman Shanmugaratnam stated the scheme was announced to supplement retirement savings for the needy elderly, similar to the Workfare Income Supplement.
The government is studying eligibility criteria to ensure sustainability and will share full details at Budget 2015.

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3 Nov 2014

Effectiveness of Community Outreach Programme in Helping Prison Inmates' Families in Securing Employment

Mr Ang Wei Neng asked about the effectiveness of the Community Outreach Project (now Yellow Ribbon Community Project) in helping offenders' families secure employment.
The project supports inmates' families through volunteers who connect them to existing community resources, including job search referrals to agencies like Social Service Offices and Community Development Councils.
The programme has expanded significantly, reaching over 2,100 families with 620 trained volunteers across 63 grassroots divisions.
Success depends on the commitment and self-reliance of the inmates and their families, though many have benefited from the support provided.
The project leverages existing community schemes rather than creating new ones to assist families in need.

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3 Nov 2014

Property Valuation Limit for Mortgage Payments from CPF Ordinary Account

The Minister explains that the Valuation Limit (VL) is set at the lower of the property's purchase price or its value at the time of purchase to ensure CPF members can recover their CPF savings and interest when selling the property.
The VL policy encourages prudent property purchases and preserves some CPF savings for retirement, with exemptions for subsidised HDB flats financed with an HDB loan.
Most CPF members are not affected by the VL, and those who reach it can use CPF savings beyond the VL if they set aside half the Minimum Sum, with flexibility available through appeal for those facing difficulties.

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3 Nov 2014

Curbing Increase in Cost of Medicines with Subsidies Accompanying Pioneer Generation Cards

Dr. Lee Bee Wah asked about guidelines for prescribing cost-effective medicines for the Pioneer Generation and ways to deter the use of expensive medicines with PG cards.
The government provides subsidies for drugs on the Standard Drugs List and Medication Assistance Fund, with committees ensuring clinically and cost-effective drug use in public institutions.
Doctors are guided by clinical practice guidelines and are ethically required to prioritize patient interests, including cost-effective treatments, with encouragement to use generic drugs when possible.
Patients are encouraged to discuss treatment options and charges with doctors, including asking about generics, while the Ministry monitors clinic claims for PG and CHAS patients.
Clinics are held accountable for exceptional claims to ensure appropriate use of subsidies and deter unnecessary prescription of expensive medicines.

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3 Nov 2014

Structured Support for Families and Parents of Children with Severe Disabilities

Denise Phua asked for a more structured and coordinated support system for caregivers of children with severe disabilities and single parents with limited family help.
Chan Chun Sing explained that families can seek help from Family Service Centres or Social Service Offices for needs assessment and to navigate available support schemes.
The government works with voluntary welfare organisations and has set up local planning teams to better coordinate social services in each HDB town.
Dedicated agencies like SG Enable, HELP FSC, and PPIS As-Salaam Family Support Centre offer specialised assistance for caregivers of children with disabilities and single parents.
The government acknowledges the need for continuous improvement and collaboration across the sector to ensure timely support for these families.

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3 Nov 2014

Retirement Adequacy Education for Entrants to Job Market

The CPF Board has developed outreach programmes that package CPF information by life events such as starting work, buying a home, and managing retirement, using platforms like social media, talks, and simplified website content.
Over the past three years, the Board has directly reached over 110,000 members through talks and events, with email blasts to over 800,000, and collaborates with partners like MoneySENSE to ensure accurate communication.
A 2014 poll showed general awareness of CPF retirement schemes, but specific policy understanding is lower; efforts include educational newspaper series and increased awareness of healthcare schemes like MediShield Life through ads and engagement sessions.

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3 Nov 2014

Pioneer Generation Fund Bill

The Pioneer Generation Fund Bill establishes an $8 billion fund to provide lifelong healthcare benefits, such as Medisave top-ups and MediShield Life premium subsidies, to about 450,000 Singaporeans born before 1949, with the full cost projected to be slightly over $9 billion including accumulated interest.
Parliament debated the bill’s administrative details, including eligibility appeals, transparency of healthcare provider definitions, and the need to streamline processes like disability assessments, while assuring that the benefits are not means-tested.
Speakers supported the bill as a recognition of pioneers’ contributions, but raised concerns about potential misuse, communication gaps with seniors, and the sustainability of the fund amid rising healthcare costs and aging demographics.
An amendment to clause 3, proposed by NMP Chia Yong Yong to remove wording that implied financial need as a criterion, was negatived after the government clarified that the package is not means-tested and the phrasing only reflects historical context.

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3 Nov 2014

Companies' Contributions to Charities

Ms Chia Yong Yong questioned the government about the percentage of profits companies contribute to charities and the strategies to encourage such commitments to reduce the strain on public funds.
Minister Lawrence Wong shared that a 2012 NVPC survey found three in five companies contributed around or less than 0.5% of pre-tax profits, with IRAS data showing approved donations were 0.32% of pre-tax profits in 2012, rising to 0.53% in 2013.
Corporate giving has increased over the past decade, with company donations to Institutions of a Public Character doubling from $325 million in 2004 to $644 million in 2013, accounting for about two-thirds of total giving.
The government offers financial incentives like a 2.5 times tax deduction for donations to IPCs and matching donation schemes, alongside NVPC efforts to promote corporate giving through CEO networking and best practice sharing.

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8 Oct 2014

Drawdown on CPF Monies for Those Not Re-employed at 62 Years Old

K Karthikeyan proposed allowing those not re-employed after 62 to draw CPF savings until they find work or reach 65.
The government explained CPF drawdown ages are rising to 65 by 2018 to support longer lifespans and retirement savings.
Re-employment legislation ensures most employees aged 62-65 are offered continued work, with support for job seekers.
Early CPF withdrawals are already permitted on medical grounds, and government assistance schemes exist for unemployed or needy individuals.

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8 Oct 2014

Reverse Mortgages for Elderly HDB Flat Owners

Minister Khaw Boon Wan outlined that reverse mortgages allow elderly HDB flat owners to unlock equity without regular repayments, but noted risks like growing loan balances and potential property value shortfalls, while sharing that a 2006 pilot by NTUC Income saw low take-up and was discontinued.
The Ministry of National Development is studying reverse mortgage schemes from other countries, but preliminary findings show low adoption rates globally, and the Minister emphasized the need for careful review and public consultation before deciding on any introduction.
The government currently offers the Lease Buyback Scheme (LBS) as the primary option, and while reverse mortgages could provide additional choices, the focus is on ensuring seniors make informed decisions through tailored counseling and comprehensive information.

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8 Oct 2014

Public Sector's Lead in Re-employment Contracts and Employment for Persons with Disabilities

The Deputy Prime Minister outlined that public sector re-employment follows tripartite guidelines, offering re-employment to eligible officers at the same grade and pay where possible, with benefits refreshed and the re-employment age extended to 67 from 2015.
The Public Service Division is collaborating with social ministries and SG Enable to increase employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, including job redesign, as part of leading by example.
For public sector employees not re-employed despite eligibility, assistance is provided to find alternative work, and ex gratia payments are available under tripartite guidelines.
The government emphasized that re-employment decisions are based on performance, conduct, and medical fitness, not solely on budgetary considerations, and that restructuring hospitals follow similar tripartite guidelines.
Initiatives are underway to re-engineer workplaces to support older workers’ productivity and longer employment, aligning with the public sector’s lead in inclusive employment practices.

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7 Oct 2014

Automatic Waivers or Reductions of HDB Rental Fees for Persons under ComCare Public Assistance Scheme

Ms Sylvia Lim asked if HDB can automatically grant waivers or reductions in rental fees for tenants receiving long-term ComCare Public Assistance.
The Minister responded that ComCare Long-Term Assistance includes an allowance that accounts for HDB rental costs, enabling most beneficiaries to pay rent.
For those still unable to pay, HDB offers sympathetic assistance by reducing rent or allowing arrears to be paid in instalments.
The current approach relies on case-by-case review rather than automatic waivers for all recipients.
The government considers the existing ComCare allowance structure sufficient to cover rental expenses for the majority of affected households.

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7 Oct 2014

Number of Students Benefited from Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidy for 2013

Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked the Minister for Communications and Information about the number of students who benefited from the Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidy (TTFS) in academic year 2013 and the surplus amount from non-disbursement.
For academic year 2013/14, 12,626 Malay students benefited from TTFS, an increase from 5,973 in the previous year, with the subsidy funded by the Government and disbursed by Yayasan MENDAKI.
The undisbursed TTFS amount in 2013 was $16.16 million out of a $46.91 million grant, and unused funds are channeled to MENDAKI's Education Development Fund for other educational programs.

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7 Oct 2014

Ex-gratia Payments and Gross Pension Ceiling for Government Pensioners

Christopher de Souza asked the Prime Minister about plans to increase ex-gratia payments and the gross pension ceiling for government pensioners.
The Prime Minister, represented by Teo Chee Hean, explained that pensions are fixed based on service and salary, but an ex-gratia Singapore Allowance has been provided since 1974 to help low-income pensioners below a set ceiling.
The Singapore Allowance was last increased in 2013 to $280 monthly, with the gross pension ceiling raised to $1,210, and the government will continue regular reviews and revisions as needed.
In addition to the allowance, government pensioners receive Medisave top-ups, GST Vouchers, and Pioneer Generation benefits, and will also benefit from MediShield Life when introduced in 2015.

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7 Oct 2014

Transfer of CPF Monies in Ordinary Account to Special Account for Older Singaporeans

Zainal Sapari asked whether CPF members aged 55 and above who have met the Minimum Sum can transfer their Ordinary Account balances to their Special Account for higher interest.
Tan Chuan-Jin explained that CPF members below 55 can already transfer savings from their Ordinary to Special Account up to the Minimum Sum to earn higher interest.
At age 55, savings from both Ordinary and Special Accounts up to the cohort’s Minimum Sum are moved to the Retirement Account, which earns interest rates similar to the Special Account.
Members who have met the Minimum Sum can top up their Retirement Account with further transfers from Ordinary and Special Accounts when the Minimum Sum is raised each year.

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7 Oct 2014

Microloans for Deserving Families in Difficulties

Mr Mohd Ismail Hussein proposed making microloans from non-profit organisations or social enterprises available to deserving families needing cash during difficult periods.
Minister Chan Chun Sing highlighted that needy families can seek ComCare assistance through Social Service Offices, which are being expanded island-wide for better access.
He added that credit co-operatives may provide unsecured loans to members with regular income, and the MicroCredit Business Scheme supports those starting or expanding microbusinesses.

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