CRG-T provides one-off financial support to those affected by tightened SMMs under Heightened Alert
2 The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many Singaporeans. In the past 14 months, MSF has introduced various schemes (namely the Temporary Relief Fund, COVID-19 Support Grant1and COVID-19 Recovery Grant (CRG) 2) to provide support to needy individuals and families who are economically affected by COVID-19.
3 Since 16 May 2021, SMMs have been tightened under this period of Heightened Alert. Businesses and livelihoods have been affected, such as those in F&B, hawkers, retail, sports and fitness as well as performing arts sectors. MSF will launch the CRG-T to provide one-off financial support to lower- to middle-income employees and self-employed persons (SEPs), who are placed on involuntary no-pay leave (NPL) or face significant income loss of at least 50% for one month, as a result of the tightened SMMs.
4 The CRG-T is a temporary scheme to facilitate quicker assistance to those whose incomes have fallen significantly and suddenly as a result of this round of closures and tighter restrictions. CRG-T complements the existing CRG that supports individuals who have involuntarily lost their jobs or are placed on involuntary NPL or are facing significant income loss for at least three consecutive months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
5 The eligibility criteria for CRG-T are similar to the CRG. The key differences are as follows
- at least one month of income loss of at least 50% or involuntary NPL (during the period between 16 May and 30 June 2021) for CRG-T applicants, instead of an average income loss of at least 50% or involuntary NPL for at least three consecutive months for CRG applicants; and
- no proof of job search or training will be required for CRG-T applicants3.
6 Under CRG-T, eligible individuals will receive a one-off payout of
- Up to $700 for employees who are placed on involuntary NPL for at least one month.
- Up to $500 for employees who are facing salary loss of at least 50% for at least one month, and SEPs facing Net Trade Income (NTI) loss of at least 50% for at least one month, compared to their average monthly NTI in 2019 or 2020.
Grant applications open from 3 June 2021, individuals to apply online
8 Individuals can apply for the CRG-T online via go.gov.sg/CRGT from 9.00 am on 3 June to 11.59pm on 2 July 2021. The online application portal for CRG-T and CRG will be operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Applicants should prepare their supporting documents in advance for a smooth application process (please see Annex B for examples of supporting documents).
9 Persons who need help completing the online application form can call the ComCare Call hotline (1800-222-0000) or email Ask_SSO@msf.gov.sg. Those who are unable to apply online can visit or arrange an appointment at their nearest Social Service Office (go.gov.sg/ssolocator) for assistance.
1 Applications for the Temporary Relief Fund and COVID-19 Support Grant closed on 30 Apr 2020 and 31 Dec 2020 respectively.
2 CRG was launched on 18 Jan 2021. As of 18 May 2021, around 15,000 applicants have benefitted from CRG, with around 13,500 applicants receiving one tranche of support and around 1,500 applicants receiving two tranches of CRG support.
3For CRG, SEPs facing income loss are required to show proof of job search or training.
ANNEX A
CRG-T ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
| Employees | Self-Employed Persons (SEPs) | |
|---|---|---|
| Employment |
|
|
| Age | Aged 21 years old and above | |
| Citizenship | Singapore Citizens (SCs) and Permanent Residents (PRs) | |
| Annual Value (AV) of Property | Living in a property with AV not more than $21,000. Applicant should not own more than one property. | |
| Prior household income | Prior to income loss or involuntary NPL, household income of not more than $7,800 or per capita household income of not more than $2,600. | |
| Economically active | Employees should have worked for at least six months cumulatively between January 2019 and December 2020. | SEPs should have declared* annual NTI in either 2019 or 2020. Additionally, SEPs should provide supporting documents on their line of work.
To ensure that SEPs continue to play a role in saving for their healthcare needs, SEPs who have received CRG previously and are applying for CRG-T must have no outstanding MediSave contributions at the point of application. Alternatively, they can commit to making contributions via a GIRO plan. MediSave obligations are waived only for SEPs who are applying for their first tranche of CRG support to allow the applicants to receive timely assistance. |
| Job search or training requirement | Applicants do not have to provide proof of job search or training prior to application. | |
| Exclusion criteria | Applicants should not be concurrently receiving support from any of the following Government schemes when applying for CRG-T
| |
5ComCare beneficiaries whose circumstances have changed during the COVID-19 situation may approach SSOs for a review of their current ComCare Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance.
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ANNEX B
LIST OF SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
The following list provides examples of supporting documents required for CRG-T applications
- Documents on bank account details for fund disbursement.
- [For employees] Relevant documents indicating placement on involuntary NPL or salary loss of at least 50% for at least one month, including
- A letter from employer stating placement on involuntary NPL for at least one month; or
- A letter from employer indicating salary reduction of at least 50% for at least one month; or
- Payslip(s) or CPF contribution statement(s) showing last-drawn monthly salary before and after the placement on involuntary NPL or salary loss.
- Payslip(s) or CPF contribution statement(s) showing last drawn monthly salary before and after the job loss, placement on involuntary NPL or salary loss.
- [For self-employed persons] Relevant documents indicating that you are currently working as a self-employed person e.g. valid trade license(s), contracts for service, income statements, tax invoices billed to service buyers, receipts issued for services, or list of client engagements.
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ANNEX C
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What are the main differences between the COVID-19 Recovery Grant (CRG) and the COVID-19 Recovery Grant – Temporary (CRG-T)?
CRG-T is intended to provide one-off support for lower- and middle-income employees and self-employed persons (SEPs) who are facing income loss or involuntary NPL as a result of the tightened Safe Management Measures (SMMs) during this period of Heightened Alert.
The key differences are| Duration of Income Loss | CRG-T applicants must be placed on involuntary NPL or experience income loss of at least 50% for at least one month, whereas CRG applicants must be placed on involuntary NPL or experience income loss of at least 50% for at least three consecutive months. |
|---|---|
| Jobs and Training Criterion | CRG-T applicants do not need to provide evidence of conducting job search or training, whereas CRG applicants are required to do so. |
| Duration of Support | Those who qualify for CRG-T will receive assistance for one month on a one-off basis, whereas those who qualify for CRG will receive three months of assistance per tranche. For CRG, eligible individuals can receive up to two tranches of assistance (capped at six months of assistance in total). |
2. Are previous COVID-19 Recovery Grant (CRG) recipients eligible for the new COVID-19 Recovery Grant – Temporary (CRG-T)?
Yes. However, individuals cannot receive both the CRG and CRG-T concurrently, so there is no duplication of support.Past recipients of CRG who are not receiving CRG support in June 2021 can apply for CRG-T, if they continue to need help and meet the eligibility criteria of CRG-T.
Eligible individuals can receive up to two tranches of support from CRG (capped at six months of assistance in total) and one tranche of support from CRG-T.
3. Can the period of assessment for the CRG-T application overlap with the period of assessment for CRG?
No, the period of assessment cannot overlap between the CRG-T and CRG applications as this will be regarded as duplicative assistance.
For example, for a CRG-T recipient who receives CRG-T assistance in June 2021, their subsequent CRG application must be supported by a further three consecutive months of NPL or income loss (from July 2021 onwards), with no overlaps with the period of NPL or income loss from the CRG-T application.
4. When must the involuntary no-pay leave (NPL)/income loss occur in order for an applicant to be eligible for the CRG-T?
Applicants must be placed on involuntary NPL or experience at least 50% income loss for at least one month between 16 May and 30 June 2021.
5. Why are SEPs exempted from the job search and training criterion when applying for CRG-T?
The intent of CRG-T is to provide one-off financial support to affected individuals during a period of tightened restrictions, where it may be challenging for applicants to find a job or seek out training opportunities.
6. Are there other schemes to support individuals who need financial support, if they are not eligible for the COVID-19 Recovery Support Grant – Temporary (CRG-T) or the COVID-19 Recovery Grant (CRG)?
Lower-income individuals and families (with monthly household income of $1,900 and below, or a per capita income of $650 and below) can apply for ComCare, which provides financial assistance and comprehensive support.
If their income exceeds these guidelines, they may still approach the SSOs if they face financial difficulties. The SSOs will assess their circumstances and needs and provide assistance accordingly.
For lower-income households whose family member(s) have contracted COVID-19 or are on Stay-Home Notice, Leave of Absence or Home Quarantine Order, The Courage Fund (TCF) will help to provide additional support for (i) dependents of individuals who contract COVID-19, and (ii) healthcare workers, frontline workers and community volunteers who contract the virus in the course of duty.
7. Are individuals who are retrenched or had their employment contracts terminated eligible for the CRG-T?
Individuals who involuntarily lost their jobs should apply for assistance under the COVID-19 Recovery Grant (CRG) instead. Eligible applicants will receive financial support for three months per tranche.
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ANNEX D
Translated Terms
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