Mr Sitoh Yih Pin asked the Minister for Social and Family Development since the launch of the Office of the Public Guardian Online on 14 November 2022 (a) what are the respective numbers of hardcopy Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) applications (i) received and (ii) approved; and (b) what are the reasons for which the Office of the Public Guardian approves the hardcopy LPA submissions.
Answer
The Office of the Public Guardian Online (OPGO) was launched to provide greater convenience for individuals to make a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). Nevertheless, as we recognise that some individuals may have difficulties with an online submission, hardcopy LPA applications are accepted under exceptional circumstances. This includes cases where the personal circumstances or physical disability of the donor/donee make them unable to use OPGO. It also covers cases where the donor/donee may be ineligible for a Singpass account, as he/she is not a SingaporeCitizen, Permanent Resident or Long-Term Resident.
2 The Office of the Public Guardian has received around 330 hardcopy LPA applications since the launch of OPGO on 14 November 2022. Of these, around 70 were approved, while the remaining applications are being reviewed. For hardcopy applications that are not approved, we will offer assistance to applicants, should they require, to apply via OPGO.