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Higher Assistance Rates For ComCare Households

Type: Press Releases

Topic(s): Financial Assistance & Social Support

Published on 21 June 2022

1 The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) will increase the amount of assistance for lower-income households on the ComCare Long-Term Assistance (LTA) and Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance (SMTA) schemes from 1 August 2022. This is part of the support package introduced by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong to provide support to households, individuals and businesses, in view of inflationary pressures caused by external factors.

2 ComCare assists lower-income households that require support for their basic living needs. It is part of the suite of Government support for households in education, housing, employment, healthcare and other domains. MSF regularly reviews the assistance rates, in consultation with stakeholders who work closely with lower-income households. Following the latest review, MSF will raise the ComCare cash assistance rates from 1 August 2022.

3 With the changes, a one-person household on ComCare LTA will receive higher cash assistance of $640 per month, an increase from the current rate of $600 per month. Households with more members will receive more. The increase will benefit around 4,000 LTA households, the majority of whom are elderly with little or no income and family support. The cash assistance is part of a comprehensive package of support that LTA beneficiaries receive, which can include medical care at public healthcare institutions, social services and community support.

4 From 1 August 2022, individuals who apply for ComCare Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance (SMTA) or apply to renew their existing SMTA, can also expect to receive higher cash assistance and support for their utility expenses. The amount of assistance will vary, depending on the household’s composition, needs, and income.

5 The revision in ComCare assistance rates complements the temporary measures MSF had introduced in April 2022 to provide ComCare households with more cash assistance and for a longer duration. The temporary measures were intended to help ComCare beneficiaries cope with increases in cost of living, arising from global supply chain disruptions and the conflict in Ukraine. The measures remain in place until 30 September 2022 and will enable new ComCare SMTA beneficiaries to receive at least six months of assistance. Current beneficiaries who renew their applications will receive at least three additional months of assistance. Where needed, SSOs will also continue to exercise greater flexibility to provide clients with more assistance.

6 Households in need of assistance can apply for ComCare online via SupportGoWhere ( go.gov.sg/SMTA) or in person at a Social Service Office ( go.gov.sg/ssolocator). Those who need help completing the online application form can call the ComCare Call hotline (1800-222-0000), email Ask_SSO@msf.gov.sg, or approach their nearest Social Service Office for assistance.


ISSUED BY
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT

Annex A Frequently Asked Questions (138kb)
Annex B Summary of ComCare LTA and SMTA Schemes (142kb)
Annex C Translated Terms (145kb)