THE South West Community Development Council (CDC) has rolled out a series of aid schemes to help retrenched workers living in the south-western parts of Singapore.

A key feature of these new schemes is that the lower-middle class, and not only the bottom 20 per cent of society, can qualify for help.

Retrenched workers whose monthly household income are below $2,500, and are assessed to be in need of help, are eligible for the CDC's Interim Coping Package for Economic Downturn (iCope).

Among the new help schemes are a one-off $50 transport grant for axed workers to hunt for a job, workshops to help this group of workers get back on their feet and an internship programme for workers to try out a different job.

These workers are also eligible for existing help schemes by the South-West CDC, such as utilities vouchers and provision of food rations.

The CDC also intends to double the number of job fairs it organises from three to six a month.

It expects to spend $1.5 million next year for the iCope programmes.