SINGAPORE - Application for two assistance schemes under the NTUC-U Care Fund start on Monday (June 15) and will last until July 15.
The vouchers to be given to low-income NTUC union members are worth more than $6.4 million this year.
There are $2.675 million worth of U Stretch Vouchers and $3.8 million worth of U Care Back To School Vouchers, NTUC said.
The U Stretch and U Care Back To School schemes are part of NTUC's U-Care Fund and help to offset the cost of living for its low-income members.
Successful applicants will receive $100 worth of U Stretch Vouchers if the member has dependents living in the same household; and $125 worth of U Care Back To School Vouchers for each eligible school-going child.
Members who do not live with any dependents can get $50 worth of U Stretch vouchers.
NTUC has also raised the qualifying income cap for applicants.
Members who have dependants in the same household and a gross monthly household income of not more than $3,000 can apply for the schemes. This is up from $2,800 previously.
For households where gross household income exceeds $3,000, members can apply if the per capita income does not exceed $750, up from $725.
For NTUC members without dependants in the same household, the gross personal income ceiling has been adjusted to $1,450 from $1,400.
This year, NTUC aims to help 61,900 members and their children, up from 50,000 last year.
Mr Zainal Sapari, assistant secretary-general and director, Care and Share Department, NTUC, said, "We have raised the income criteria this year and expect about 11,000 more beneficiaries for the two assistance programmes, compared to 50,000 beneficiaries last year."
Union members may either submit an online application via www.ntuc.org.sg/ucare/apply or get the application form from the unions they belong to, or the NTUC Centre at 1 Marina Boulevard.
They can also call the NTUC Hotline on 6213-8008 for enquiries.
