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IN ORDER to qualify for the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) scheme for $320, my babysitter mother, who makes $400 a month, made a voluntary Medisave account contribution of $67 last year.
The CPF Board enrolled her in the Medisave for Self-Employed scheme backdated to 2003, which means she must make a further cash top-up of $2,813 in premiums due.
It gives little incentive for the most needy to top up their Medisave as the cash liability clearly outweighs the supplement received, mostly in CPF accounts. In fact, they are penalised financially in terms of cash flow and compounded late payment fees that will eventually reduce the WIS amount received to zero.
I hope the authorities will comment on this substantial Medisave cash liability and benefits to the needy.
Jerald Lim Beng Chuan
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