Families with disabled children who are attending special student care centres will get more fee subsidies, and more will soon qualify for help.
With the extra help, most families will pay between 30% and 80% less in fees. For example, a family with a total monthly household income of $4,000 will pay $142 a month when the subsidies kick in – about 75% less than the $582 they had to pay previously.
Meanwhile, the eligible household income for means-tested subsidies will be raised from $4,000 to $9,200 a month.
Special student care centres provide after-school care and supervision for children with disabilities aged between seven and 18.
The changes will take effect on 1 July, said Minister of State for Social and Family Development Sam Tan said in Parliament.
Responding to Mr Seah Kian Peng (Marine Parade GRC) on the affordability of such care centres, Mr Tan said they are “particularly essential” for caregivers who need to work or care for other dependants and themselves.
There are currently five special student care centres located in or near special education schools, with about 130 students enrolled.
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Source: The Straits Times, 6 March 2020