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Source:
www.mcys.gov.sg
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Increase in Public Assistance Rates Brought
Forward to May 2008 |
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COMCARE to provide Flexible Assistance at
Local Level |
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To help needy Singaporeans better
cope with rising food costs, the Ministry of Community
Development, Youth & Sports (MCYS) will bring forward the
implementation date of the increase in Public Assistance rates
to May 2008. The Citizens' Consultative Committee ComCare Fund (CCC
ComCare Fund) will also provide flexible assistance to needy
Singaporeans at the local level. |
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From 5 May 2008, Public Assistance (PA)
recipients can expect a rate increase of between $40 and $165 a month,
depending on their household type. An elderly Public Assistance
recipient living alone will see an increase from $290 to $330 a month. A
family with two adults and two children will see their assistance
increase from $855 to $1,020 a month, while families with five or more
persons will see their assistance increase from $940 to $1,100 a month.
The implementation date has been brought forward from 1 July 2008. |
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PA recipients receive free medical
treatment, subsidized rentals, utilities and service and conservancy
charges rebates. They will also be receiving this year's payments from
the Budget 2007 GST Offset Package and Budget 2008 Surplus Sharing
Schemes. |
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The first disbursement of the Growth
Dividend will be made on 30 April 2008. A single elderly PA
recipient living in a one-room rental flat will receive $300 in
April 2008, and about $1,000 in cash by the end of the year. These
payments, together with the PA rate increase, will enable PA
recipients to cope with the recent increases in the cost of living. |
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On top of this, the CCC ComCare Fund
enables the CCCs and grassroots leaders to provide immediate
assistance to needy families in financial difficulties. The CCCs
administer such assistance in a flexible manner. Individual CCCs
will be allowed to formulate relevant local schemes to address
specific needs. |
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There are sufficient funds and resources
available to help needy Singaporeans cope with rising food prices.
For FY08, MCYS expects to spend around $64 million to help needy
Singaporeans under the various ComCare programme. |
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Singaporeans who need help should go to
the Community Development Councils or Family Service Centres, or
approach their grassroots leaders. They can also call ComCare
helpline at 1800 - 222 0000. If you know any needy Singaporeans who
need help, please call the ComCare helpline on their behalf. |
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Source:
www.mcys.gov.sg Press Release
11 Apr 2008 |
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Start date for increase in Public Assistance Rates
brought forward