Under a new scheme, needy residents in Tampines Changkat can apply for vouchers to meet their everyday needs, such as buying food from hawker stalls or getting a haircut.

The vouchers, which come in booklets worth $30 each, are meant to help those with a household monthly income of less than $1,700. The vouchers are co-sponsored by the North East Community Development Council and Tampines Changkat Citizen's Consultative Committee Community Development and Welfare Fund.

Residents may use the vouchers at about 150 hawker stalls at the Tampines Round Market, and 30 neighbourhood shops, including a bakery, stationery shop and a hair salon.

Tampines GRC MP Irene Ng, who launched the scheme on Monday at St Luke's Eldercare Centre and Metta Day Rehabilitation Centre for the Elderly, said: "We usually give out NTUC vouchers, instead of cash to prevent abuse, but I found that some residents struggle to pay for other things, such as for school stationery and hot meals. Now we can also give them the community vouchers for a wider range of items they need."