As the country starts to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the rising cost of living has made things more difficult. The high inflation rate continues to eat away income growth, putting low-income families in a more precarious situation. Low-income earners in Singapore face the lowest wage growth and suffer from rising household expenses, according to research by DBS Bank.
On top of the high inflation, some individuals may face sudden layoffs, health problems, and financial emergencies. As such, it is not surprising to find more and more families in tight financial situations. So who do you turn to when you need financial assistance?
The Singapore Government is extending financial assistance schemes for those in need. You can approach your nearest Social Service Offices (SSOs) for help. SSOs make ComCare assistance and other offers of assistance more accessible to those who need it.
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What Is Financial Assistance Singapore and How Can It Help You?
Financial assistance schemes in Singapore are designed for individuals, families, and businesses who are struggling throughout these tough economic situations.
One example is the COVID-19 Recovery Grant. Individuals or lower- to middle-income employees who experienced involuntary job loss due to COVID-19 can avail financial support through this scheme.
With this grant, eligible individuals can receive up to S$700 per month for 3 months. This cash payout can help you tide over tough financial situations as you recover from the effects of the pandemic.
With the assistance of social workers from different social service agencies, you can look for solutions as well as identify resources to go through challenging financial situations.
Benefits of Financial Assistance
Financial assistance programs provide benefits in the form of payments, services, and goods to help with basic living expenses, education, healthcare, and more.
Here are some of the benefits you can avail:
- Cash, vouchers, or food rations for those who need urgent financial assistance
- Monthly cash assistance for basic living needs
- Cash assistance to cover household and medical bills
- School fees and other expenses
- Public transport vouchers to cope with fare adjustments
Financial Assistance in Singapore
For Living Expenses
1. ComCare – Ministry of Social and Family Development (Government)
Established in 2005, ComCare Fund provides sustainable funding for assistance programmes for low-income Singaporeans. ComCare programmes are funded by the Community Care Endowment Fund and it is guided by three key principles:
- Inspire responsible individuals
- Build strong and stable families
- Aims to be client-centric and coordinated
- The Government is part of the caring and sustainable community
ComCare provides 3 types of financial assistance schemes:
| Financial Assistance | Assistance Provided | Eligibility | How to Apply |
| ComCare Interim Assistance
It is for families going through tough financial situations that require urgent and immediate assistance. You will receive help for less than three months.
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| Approach your closest SSO (Social Service Office) or Family Service Centres for assistance.
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| ComCare Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance
This scheme is created to provide temporary financial support for low-income individuals and families through unemployment duration. For example, if you are suffering from an illness or need to care for a sick family member and are unable to work.
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| ComCare Long-Term Assistance
This scheme is also known as the “Public Assistance Scheme” which provides financial support to the elderly or individuals with extreme financial difficulties. It is created for those who are permanently unable to work or can’t support themselves due to old age, illness, or disability.
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Documents Required
The documents required may vary per type of ComCare scheme. These are the basic documents you’ll need to bring:
- Identity card or birth certificate of the applicant and all household members
- Updated bank account passbook(s) or statement(s) of the applicant and all household family members – with the latest 3 months’ transaction
- Supporting documents
- Latest utility bills
- Payslips or employment contract
- Latest medical certificate
- Latest HDB statement
- Any other supporting documents
2. One Singapore
Established in 2005, ONE [SINGAPORE] is a financial provider that aims to end poverty through individual contributions and good policies. It takes concrete actions to Make Poverty History and create The World We Want. This initiative was by members of the community and funded through donations, such as the S$10 Campaign.
One Singapore has two types of financial support:
| Financial Assistance | What is it | Assistance Provided | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| ONE Emergency Fund | It provides financial and in-kind assistance to low-income individuals and families in Singapore who need urgent help. | Cash assistance to pay utility bills, school fees, doctor’s visits, transportations, and more. | Fill up this Google form to apply online Or You can visit this link to apply |
| ONE Livelihoods Fund | This scheme promotes livelihoods, self-reliance, and entrepreneurship. |
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3. Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC)
The Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) is a non-profit self-help group for the Chinese community. It provides financial assistance and programmes to help low-income individuals and families through a combination of self-help and mutual support.
Established in 1992, it was started by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) and the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA). CDAC has two major financial schemes:
| Financial Assistance Programme | Assistance Provided | Eligibility | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDAC Family Assistance Programme For low-income families who need support with their basic living and/or education needs of their children |
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| Meet with a caseworker for an assessment with their supporting documents |
| CDAC-SFCCA Hardship Assistance Fund Scheme For individuals and families facing financial hardship |
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4. Singapore Buddhist Welfare Services (SBWS)
The Singapore Buddhist Welfare Services was founded by the late Venerable Yen Pei, a learned Buddhist scholar and a social worker with great compassion. The SBWS is a voluntary welfare organization and its mission is to relieve poverty, suffering, ignorance, and ill-health through counseling, advisory financial assistance, education, and more.
Its vision is to support people through compassion and love. SBWS offers financial support through:
- Public Assistance Programme: It provides the needy with Monthly Financial Assistance and/or Monthly Food Rations based on the needs of the beneficiaries. The beneficiaries are assessed through home visits every six months.
For Elderly and PWD
1. Agency for Integrated Care Singapore (AIC)
In 2008, the Agency for Integrated Care Singapore (AIC) was established as an independent corporate entity under the Ministry of Health (MOH). It supports caregivers and seniors by providing information on aging well. Plus, it helps connect people to the services they need. They are funded through donations and support from corporate partners.
AIC offers financial support through these schemes:
- Seniors’ Mobility and Enabling Fund: It provides holistic support to the elderly. Extends subsidies to Singaporean Seniors and offers assistive devices, such as walking aids, basic wheelchairs, hearing aids, hospital beds, and more
- Pioneer Generation Disability Assistance Scheme: This is part of the Pioneer Generation package which honors Singapore’s Pioneers. With this scheme, Pioneers with disabilities will receive S$100/month.
- Interim Disability Assistance Programme for the Elderly: Set up in 2002 for a small group of seniors who were not eligible for ElderShield- due to being too old or having pre-existing disabilities. They can receive S$150 or S$250 monthly cash payout for up to 72 months.
- ElderFund: Launched on 31 January 2020, this discretionary assistance scheme was created for severely disabled lower-income Singapore Citizens aged 30 and older. They can receive S$250 cash payout per month for as long as they remain eligible.
Eligibility
- Qualifications may differ depending on the type of scheme you’re applying for. It is best to visit the AIC website to get the complete eligibility criteria.
How to Apply
- Contact AIC for referral if you are not known to any hospitals or care providers
For HDB Flat Owners
1. HDB Financial Assistance Measures (FAM)
This is created for flat owners who are having difficulties paying the monthly installments of their HDB housing plan. Here’s how FAM can help you:
- Paying the housing loan arrears on an installment basis
- Deferring or lowering monthly loan installments for six months.
- Including working family member(s) as a joint owner to help pay for the housing loan installment
- Lowering the monthly installment through a term extension up to the allowed maximum repayment period.
How to Apply
- Please visit the HDB Branch managing your flat. For the complete list of documents required, please visit the HDB website.
For Students
Here are some of the financial assistance schemes available to help finance your child’s education:
| Financial Assistance Programme | Education Level | Assistance Provided | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Fee Assistance Scheme (KiFAS) | Primary (Helps parents meet their children’s kindergarten fees.) | Subsidies between S$21 and S$170/month (Note: the amount will vary depending on the household income) |
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| School Pocket Money Fund | Primary, secondary, post-secondary |
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| Ministry of Education (MOE) Financial Assistance | Primary, secondary, post-secondary, government-aided school, independent schools | Offers support on school fees and other expenses | Visit MOE website to check whether your child is eligible for financial assistance from January 2023 |
For Your Digital Needs
You can get subsidized access to digital devices and connectivity needs:
- NEU PC Plus Programme: This is created for low-income students and individuals with disabilities. It provides opportunities to own a new computer at a lower cost.
- Mobile Access for Seniors Scheme: It supports the Seniors Go Digital programme that offers subsidized smartphone and mobile plans to lower-income elders.
Closing
The pandemic has caused severe financial distraught among individuals and families in Singapore. On top of that, we are also facing unstable economic conditions and high inflation rates. Thankfully, the Singapore government as well as privately-funded organizations are offering assistance to those in urgent need of financial help.
Key Takeaways
- To apply for financial assistance, you can approach the nearest SSOs.
- Financial assistance programs provide benefits in the form of payments, services, and goods to help with basic living expenses, education, healthcare, and more.
- ComCare Fund provides sustainable funding for low-income Singaporeans.
- Low-income individuals and families seeking emergency funds can seek assistance from One Singapore
- Seniors and individuals with disabilities can seek financial support from the Agency for Integrated Care Singapore (AIC)
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