More help for Singapore low income households is on the way -- they will receive additional
rental rebates in public
rental flats, while the Public Transport Fund will be topped up to S$10 million.
Putting food on the table for his wife, his mother in-law and three young children is a daily challenge for 68-year-old Ramachandran Chinnakannu.
The family's breadwinner makes about S$900 a month as a security guard, and depends on help from charities to get by.
Mr Ramachandran already receives a Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) of S$2200 annually, of which S$600 is cash and the rest is in the form of CPF contributions.
He will get an additional 50 per cent of the WIS he is getting this year.
This means he will get an additional S$1100 cash payment under this scheme this year.
He will also get S$1000 in GST Credits and Senior Citizens' Bonus.
In all, he will receive about S$2700 in cash from the government this year.
This is in addition to four months of service and conservancy charges rebates and
rental rebates as the family lives in a one-room
rental flat.
Mr Ramachandran said: “I don't have enough money every month. Now monthly, I can spend a little of the money I receive. I can now buy my children books, milk, uniforms.”
And to help families like the Ramachandrans, the government will also enhance the financial assistance schemes for students.
Young children from low income families are going to receive a top-up of up to S$400 in their Post Secondary
education Accounts this year.
And students from ITEs, polytechnics, and universities can look forward to a new Short-Term Study Assistance Scheme if their families are facing financial difficulties. CNA/yt
