01/05/2020
Additional relief to help those employees in need
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit many Singaporeans hard. For those who are affected financially, we want to provide support.
We have received more than 500,000 applications for the Temporary Relief Fund, and applications have closed. The TRF provided interim assistance for those affected by COVID-19’s economic impact, until schemes like the COVID-19 Support Grant and the Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme (SIRS) come into effect.
We recognise that Singaporeans may need more support after this month. That is why we have decided to enhance the COVID-19 Support Grant when applications open from May to 30 Sep 2020.
When we first announced the Grant, it was intended to support local employees who have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 situation. Now, it will be extended to support:
a. Employees placed on involuntary No-Pay Leave (NPL) for at least 3 consecutive months, and
b. Employees who have had sustained salary reduction of at least 30% for 3 consecutive months.
Those who have lost their jobs, or are placed on No-Pay Leave for at least 3 months, may receive up to $800 a month for 3 months. Those who have lost their jobs can also receive employment and training support from Workforce Singapore (WSG) or Employment and Employability Institute (e2i). Others on involuntary NPL will have access to relevant courses subsidised by SkillsFuture Singapore. You may apply for the Grant from Monday, 4 May.
Those who have had their monthly salaries reduced by 30% or more for 3 months may receive up to $500 a month for 3 months. You may apply for the Grant from Monday 11 May.
We encourage you to apply online at go.gov.sg/CSG (goes ‘live’ only from 4 May) with your supporting documents. You can email [email protected] or call the ComCare hotline at 1800-222-0000 if you require assistance to apply online. If you are unable to email or call, you can approach your nearest SSO (go.gov.sg/ssolocator) for help with the online application.
Do note that full-time National Servicemen, interns, and self-employed persons such as taxi or private-hire drivers, insurance agents and delivery persons are not eligible for the COVID-19 Support Grant. Self-employed persons may be assisted under the Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme (www.ntuc.com.sg/sirs/).
We are also proactively helping existing ComCare clients. If your ComCare assistance is ending between now and July 2020, we will extend your assistance for a further 6 months without the need for further review. Families on ComCare whose circumstances have worsened during the COVID-19 situation may approach SSOs to review and possibly increase your current level of ComCare support.
New ComCare clients will also generally receive at least six months of assistance.
With the enhanced COVID-19 Support Grant and proactive ComCare assistance, my colleagues and I want to give you and your families more support as you seek new employment and training opportunities during this crisis.
(To find out more about the COVID-19 Support Grant, please visit go.gov.sg/msf-csg-faqs)
