Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) in the past three years, how many ComCare applications were denied citing non-compliance with employment action plans; (b) whether applicants are given the opportunity to provide evidence of their engagement with partner agencies before such denials; and (c) whether the Ministry will ensure applicants are heard before being denied on such grounds.
Answer
1 ComCare Short-to-Medium Term Assistance (SMTA) helps clients with their basic living expenses as they work on improving their financial situation. Our Social Service Office (SSO) officers work closely with clients to develop suitable action plans to achieve this.
2 Clients are informed from the outset that they must adhere to these action plans. However, should they face genuine difficulties meeting them, or if they need more time, the action plans can be reviewed. Based on the household's adherence to action plans and progress towards self-reliance, the amount and duration of SMTA may be adjusted while ensuring dependants' basic needs are being met. MSF family coaches who are working with the families will also get them help from the community, for example milk and diapers, if necessary.
3 We do not track the number of applicants who were not given ComCare because they did not comply with their action plans.