Needy Singaporeans whose CPF payouts under the Minimum Sum Scheme or CPF Life falls below the current PA allowance rate of $360 will gain from the move. -- ST PHOTO: WANG HUI FEN
FROM July, Public Assistance (PA) criteria will be made more flexible to benefit a larger pool of people. Needy Singaporeans whose CPF payouts under the Minimum Sum Scheme or CPF Life falls below the current PA allowance rate of $360 will gain from the move.
Currently, due to their CPF payouts, they do not qualify for PA, even if they fit other criteria, such as not being able to work, having no assets and little or no family support. Now, they will get cash top-ups in addition to their CPF payouts so they are not worse off than PA recipients - currently numbering 3,000 - with no source of income.
With the widening of the support, about 200 more cases may be eligible from July, said the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports on Wednesday. Over the next five years, some 2,000 more may qualify.
Speaking in Parliament, Minister of State for MCYS Yu-Foo Yee Shoon said the change will likely cost $4 million more a year, bringing the total PA budget to $17.3 million in financial year 2010.
Earlier, Jalan Besar GRC MP Denise Phua had spoken about a 'modified form of public assistance' for the chronic poor who have been denied PA because they have CPF disbursements - but which is below the public assistance rate.
The PA scheme provides a monthly cash based on household size, free medical treatment in polyclinics and restructured hospitals, and educational assistance for school-going children.
