Destitute Singaporeans who are on the ComCare Long-Term Assistance Scheme, also known as the Public Assistance scheme, can look forward to a higher monthly cash sum.
The scheme provides a cash sum each month to destitute persons who cannot work permanently as a result of old age or illness, and have little or no family support.
In the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s (MSF) last financial year ended March last year, there were 4,409 households on the scheme, with its recipients being mostly elderly singles who live alone.
Social workers interviewed welcomed the increase in sums to Public Assistance recipients.
Ms Joyz Tan, 37, senior social worker at Fei Yue Family Service Centre, said: “The increase in quantum helps to cushion the impact of inflation to some extent, such as higher food cost.”
The Public Transport Fund will also be topped up by $10 million. Eligible lower-income families will get vouchers to defray their transport expenses.
Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat also urged Singaporeans to make a difference, under a national movement called SG Cares, to foster a more caring society.
The Government is promoting volunteerism among various groups, such as young people, seniors and among public officers.
For example, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth is working with Youth Corps Singapore to nurture youth community leaders in tertiary education institutes to rally their peers to be involved in the community.
It is also encouraging all public officers to volunteer under the Public Service Cares initiative, and over 85% of public officers are making monthly donations.
Mr Heng cited independent content producer Rose Sivam, 54, who started an initiative to bring people from different backgrounds together, including the less fortunate.
She and her husband Chris Choo, 50, run a private dining initiative from their five-room HDB flat, and they want to extend these parties to those who cannot afford them or do not have a chance to attend private dining parties.
Guests to her “My Home, Your Home” initiative have included people with disabilities and dementia patients, who get a free meal and entertainment.
“Those who came all loved it,” Dr Sivam said. “And the privileged also gained so much – like some did not know wheelchair users can hold full-time jobs or have never seen a visually handicapped person create calligraphy. Their misconceptions have been cleared.”
A summary of the initiative was provided in a Facebook post by Ministry of Finance:
Watch the speech below to hear more:
Watch the full Budget 2019 speech below:
Read more here.
Source: The Straits Times, 19 February 2019