Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong
Non-Constituency Member of Parliament
Question
To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) how many current caregivers have been given Special Approval for higher subsidy support for infant care and childcare because they are not working or they are non-parent caregivers; and (b) what is the average higher subsidy support they receive.
Answer
1 Under Special Approval, eligible applicants who are not working or who are non-parent caregivers may receive the higher subsidy support that working mothers receive. This includes the working mother Basic Subsidy, as well as the means-tested Additional Subsidy for household incomes that are $7,500 per month and below.
2 Currently, 2,100 applicants receive higher subsidy support under Special Approval. On average, these applicants receive $520 and $950 per month in total subsidies for childcare and infant care respectively.
3 Low-income families who face difficulties paying for childcare even after subsidies may apply for financial assistance.