The levy concession for people with disabilities was recommended by the Enabling Masterplan Steering Committee, a people sector-

led committee, which developed a strategic plan for the betterment of people with disabilities last year. The committee consulted people with disabilities, their families and voluntary welfare organisations before they came up with their recommendations.

Government agreed with the Enabling Masterplan's recommendation and extended the foreign domestic worker levy concession, which was earlier available only to families with young children or the elderly, to people with disabilities with effect from September last year. The revenue forgone from the levy concession for the disabled is expected to reach about $1 million a year.

The Enabling Master-plan's recommendations also included a caregiver training grant of $500,000, so caregivers can enrol in approved caregiving courses at subsidised rates.

For more information on the levy concession and the caregiver training grant, visit the disability portal at www.disability.org.sg or call the Disability Information Referral Centre on 1800-347-2222.

In addition to these initiatives, there are the handicapped spouse and handicapped siblings tax relief of $3,500 per assessment year. ElderShield, a severe disability insurance scheme launched by the Ministry of Health, is also in place to provide basic financial protection to those with long-term care needs. Families who need additional help or information on social service assistance may call the ComCare Call line on 1800-222-0000.

Most initiatives and schemes have been introduced only recently. We will review these schemes regularly. We thank the readers for their feedback and will certainly take it into consideration during review.

Carol Tan (Dr)
Deputy Director
Elderly & Disability Policy
Elderly, Disability and Gambling Safeguards Division
Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports