And the strain is starting to show on her 34-kg frame. Madam Ke said: 'Money is very tight but since I'm working, I don't think I should apply for financial help. Anyway, I also don't know what help schemes are available.'

It is precisely people like Madam Ke that the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) wants to reach out to with its arsenal of financial aid schemes.

Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, MCYS' Minister of State, told reporters after visiting poor families on Wednesday morning that she wants to work with more agencies, such as the NTUC and Manpower Ministry, to publicise the various aid schemes.

She also urged the public to seek help if they really need it.

Indeed, more Singaporeans are asking for assistance.

As at end March, about 24,000 people are getting financial and other forms of help under one of the ComCare programmes, up from about 21,000 in the same period last year.