As Covid-19 continues to take a toll on businesses, some employees might have been put on no-pay leave or taken a pay cut.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development has announced details for the application of the Covid-19 Support Grant, which can help some of these Singaporean workers tide over this period.
Who can apply?
This grant is targeted at Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents, aged at least 16 years old, who have been laid off, put on involuntary no-pay leave, or experienced a pay cut of at least 30 per cent for three consecutive months.
For one to be eligible for the grant, the loss of income or the start of no-pay leave should have occurred after Jan. 23, 2020 as a result of Covid-19.
Other criteria include gross monthly household income of not more than S$10,000 and live in a property with annual value of not more than S$21,000.
Not for self-employed individuals
The applicant should not be a current beneficiary of ComCare assistance or a recipient of the Self-Employed Persons Income Relief Scheme (SIRS).
This means that taxi or private hire drivers, insurance agents, and delivery riders are not eligible for this grant.
Instead, self-employed persons can apply for the income relief scheme.
Full-time National Servicemen and interns are not eligible for this grant as well.
Separately, existing ComCare beneficiaries whose assistance is ending by July 2020 will have their assistance extended for a further six months without review, waiving the need for submission of new documents and signatures. Families on ComCare whose circumstances have changed during the Covid-19 situation may approach Social Service Offices (SSOs) for a review of their current ComCare Short-to-Medium-Term support.
Those who are newly placed on ComCare will receive at least six months of assistance.
Do note that some households may receive assistance for a shorter duration, if it is ascertained that within the next six months, they would be receiving other sources of income which they could tap on for their basic living expenses.
Up to S$800 per month for those on involuntary no-pay leave
Those who have lost their jobs or have been put on involuntary no-pay leave for three consecutive months may receive a monthly cash grant of up to S$800, for three months.
For those who have experienced a pay cut of at least 30 per cent for three consecutive months may receive up to S$500 for three months.
The cash support quantum will be based on the last-drawn monthly salary and the grant will be credited into recipient's bank account.
Grant recipients who have lost their jobs can also receive employment and training support from Workforce Singapore (WSG) or Employment and Employability Institute (e2i).
Those on involuntary NPL will have access to relevant courses subsidised by SkillsFuture Singapore.
Application starts from May 4
The application for those who lost their job or have been put on no-pay leave will start from Monday, May 4.
Those who have lost 30 per cent of their income can only apply from May 11.
The application windows open from May 4 to Sep. 30, 2020.
It takes about two weeks to process the application upon submission of supporting documents.
You can apply for the grant online.
If you are unable to do so, you can arrange an appointment at the nearest Social Service Offices or call the ComCare Call hotline (1800-222-0000) to seek help.
More details here: