Singaporeans can look forward to enhanced support programmes from the Government as announced in this year's Budget. From coping with higher costs of living to assistance for caring for the elderly, there will be strong social support.
Strengthening Social Safety Nets
The Government will reinforce social safety nets to ensure that more support will be available for families in need. These are some of the initiatives of these that will benefit workers and their families:
· Review healthcare financing to keep it affordable, especially for older Singaporeans
· $1 billion top-up to Medifund to provide extra assistance with healthcare bills
· $250 million top-up to Eldercare Fund to strengthen support for patients in nursing homes and other long-term care services
· $50 million top-up to Senior’s Mobility and Enabling Fund to help with purchase of assistive devices such as hearing aids and motorised wheelchairs
· 20 new Social Service Offices in HDB towns to co-ordinate support for needy families
· Integrate eldercare services under one agency to better serve seniors
· Dedicated agency to strengthen focus on persons with disabilities
Providing Direct Assistance For Cost of Living
The Government will provide $1.7 billion to help households cope with the cost of living. This assistance comes in various forms:
· Through additional GST Vouchers, the total payout of cash, Medisave and U-Save benefits will be doubled
· $200 CPF Medisave top-up for all Singaporeans aged 45 and above
· Rebates on Service and Conservancy charges of one to three months for all HDB households based on flat type
