\n<\/p>\n
Lower-income Singaporean households that need urgent and temporary financial relief for their daily living expenses currently receive aid under the ComCare Interim Assistance scheme.<\/p>\n
At present, the amount of monthly support for each eligible household is sized based on the household\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n
Currently, to qualify for ComCare Interim Assistance, households cannot earn more than S$800 a month on a per capita basis.<\/p>\n
Mr Siow said the government will increase payouts for ComCare Interim Assistance to at least S$250 per month for up to three months \u201cwith more provided to those with greater needs\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will also be more flexible on the eligibility for ComCare Interim Assistance, so more households can qualify for support.\u201d<\/p>\n
These enhancements will take effect from Aug 17 to Dec 31, said the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).<\/p>\n
ComCare Interim Assistance is disbursed on an ad hoc basis and constitutes about 1 per cent of overall ComCare payments, MSF has previously said.<\/p>\n
MSF said it will also raise payouts under the ComCare Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance (SMTA) scheme by at least 5 per cent or S$50 a month, whichever is higher, for up to three months.<\/p>\n
ComCare SMTA is for lower-income Singaporean households whose members are temporarily unable to work, looking for a job or earning a low income and in need of assistance.<\/p>\n