Singapore: COVID-19 Support Grant

Submitted by siha on Fri, 07/31/2020 - 14:30
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Ministry of Social and Family Development (31.07.2020) COVID-19 Support Grant is paid to Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents, aged 16 years and above, who are presently involuntarily unemployed due to retrenchment or contract termination, or presently on involuntary no-pay leave (NPL) for at least three consecutive months, or presently experiencing reduced monthly salary of at least 30% for at least three consecutive months as a result of the economic impact of COVID-19.

For those who have experienced involuntary job loss or presently on involuntary NPL for a period of at least three consecutive months - Monthly cash grant of up to $800, for 3 months, will be credited into bank account.The cash support quantum will be based on the last-drawn monthly salary, capped at $800.

For those who have experienced income loss of at least 30% for a period of at least three consecutive months - Monthly cash grant of up to $500, for 3 months, will be credited into bank account.The cash support quantum will be based on the last-drawn monthly salary, capped at $500.

measures summary

COVID-19 Support Grant is paid to Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents, aged 16 years and above, who are involuntarily unemployed due to retrenchment or contract termination, or on involuntary no-pay leave (NPL) for at least three consecutive months, or experiencing reduced monthly salary of at least 30% for at least three consecutive months as a result of the economic impact of COVID-19. Monthly cash grant of up to $800, for 3 months for those who have experienced job loss or presently on involuntary NPL. Monthly cash grant of up to $500, for 3 months for those who have experienced income loss of at least 30%.

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Target beneficiaries and eligibility criteria

Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents, aged 16 years and above, who are presently involuntarily unemployed due to retrenchment or contract termination, or presently on involuntary no-pay leave (NPL) for at least three consecutive months, or presently experiencing reduced monthly salary of at least 30% for at least three consecutive months as a result of the economic impact of COVID-19.

The eligibility criteria for the COVID-19 Support Grant are as follows:

·         Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents aged 16 years and above.

·    Full-time or part-time employees affected by the economic impact of the COVID-19 situation (loss of job/income or start of involuntary no-pay leave should have occurred after 23 Jan 2020):

        - Presently involuntarily unemployed due to retrenchment/contract termination;

        - Presently on involuntary NPL for a period of at least three consecutive months (e.g. Mar - May 2020, May - Jul 2020); or

        - Presently experiencing reduced monthly salary of at least 30% for a period of at least three consecutive months (e.g. Mar - May 2020, May - Jul 2020);

·         Prior gross monthly household income of ≤$10,000, or monthly per capita income of ≤$3,100

·         Live in a property with annual value of ≤$21,000; and

·         Not a current beneficiary of ComCare assistance, i.e. Long-Term Assistance, & Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance.(Note: ComCare clients currently receive comprehensive support, and will be assisted by SSOs if they require more assistance due to changes in their financial circumstances)

·    Has not already received, or is currently not receiving the COVID-19 Support Grant or the Self-Employed Persons Income Relief Scheme (SIRS)

·    Full-time National Servicemen and interns are not eligible 

Recipients of the support grant must:

·         Have been employed as a full-time or part-time permanent or contract staff prior to job/income loss; and

·         Agree to actively participate in job search or attend a training programme under Workforce Singapore or the Employment and Employability Institute.

Assistance provided
For those who have experienced involuntary job loss or presently on involuntary NPL for a period of at least three consecutive months - Monthly cash grant of up to $800, for 3 months, will be credited into bank account.The cash support quantum will be based on the last-drawn monthly salary, capped at $800.

Job and training support by Workforce Singapore or the Employment and Employability Institute.

For those who have experienced income loss of at least 30% for a period of at least three consecutive months - Monthly cash grant of up to $500, for 3 months, will be credited into bank account.The cash support quantum will be based on the last-drawn monthly salary, capped at $500.

Supporting documents required
·    NRIC
·   Bank account number (for fund disbursement)

·   Relevant documents indicating involuntary loss of job, being on involuntary NPL or reduction of at least 30% salary for at least three consecutive months; such as
         - Letter of retrenchment/termination of contract

         - Letter from employer stating being placed on involuntary NPL for at least three consecutive months

         - Letter from employer indicating loss of at least 30% salary for at least three consecutive months

·   Payslip(s) or CPF contribution statement(s) showing last drawn monthly salary, before loss of job, being placed on involuntary NPL, or loss of at least 30% of salary

·   Payslip(s) or CPF contribution statement(s) showing last drawn monthly salary, after loss of job, being placed on involuntary NPL or loss of at least 30% of salary 

Application

Apply online at go.gov.sg/CSG (9am to 6pm daily) till 30 September 2020. Those who need help filling in the online application form can email Ask_SSO@msf.gov.sg or call the ComCare Call hotline (1800-222-0000) for assistance. Those who are not able to apply online can call the ComCare Call hotline to schedule an application slot at their nearest Social Service Office(go.gov.sg/ssolocator).

Application window

Applications open from 4 May – 30 Sep 2020, 9am to 6pm daily.

Processing time

About 2 weeks upon submission of supporting documents.