Workers put on no-pay leave or with salary loss of at least 50% eligible for one-time payout, up to S$700

Applications are open between Jun. 3 and Jul. 2.

Jane Zhang | May 31, 2021, 11:52 AM

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With the tightening of safe distancing measures during this period of Phase 2 (Heightened Alert), many people's livelihoods — particularly those working in the F&B, hawker, retail, sports and fitness, and performing arts sectors — have been greatly impacted.

Starting Jun. 3, eligible individuals can apply for one-off financial support of up to S$700 through the Covid-19 Recovery Grant — Temporary (CRG-T).

CRG-T facilitates quicker assistance

In a press release on Monday (May 31), the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) announced the launch of the CRG-T.

This is meant to support lower- to middle-income workers who were placed on involuntary no-pay leave, or self-employed persons (SEPs) who faced at least 50 per cent income loss for one month due to tightened safe management measures.

This temporary support scheme complements the existing Covid-19 Recovery Grant (CRG), which was launched earlier this year on Jan. 18 to support individuals who involuntarily lost their jobs, were placed on involuntary no-pay leave, or faced significant income loss for at least three consecutive months due to the pandemic.

According to MSF, as of May 18, around 15,000 applicants have benefitted from the CRG. 13,500 of the applicants have received one tranche of CRG support, while around 1,500 applicants have received two tranches.

"The CRG-T is a temporary scheme to facilitate quicker assistance to those whose incomes have fallen significantly and suddenly as a result of this round of closures and tighter restrictions," the ministry explained.

Under the CRG-T, employees who are placed on involuntary no-pay leave for at least one month will receive a one-off payout of up to S$700.

Employees who are facing salary loss, or SEPs facing Net Trace Income (NTI) loss, of at least 50 per cent for at least one month are eligible to receive up to S$500.

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for the CRG-T is as follows:

For employees, they must have been placed on involuntary no-pay leave for at least one month or faced a salary loss of at least 50 per cent for at least one month, in the period between May 16 and Jun. 30, 2021.

Employees should also have been working for at least six months cumulatively between January 2019 and December 2020.

SEPs should have a Net Trace Income loss of at least 50 per cent for one month, compared to their reported average monthly Net Trace Income in 2019 or 2020, and the loss should have occurred between May 16 and Jun. 30, 2021.

All eligible applicants must be Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents (PRs) aged 21 years old or above.

Similar to the CRG, the CRG-T is targeted at those with a lower household income, so applicants should be living in a property with an annual value of no more than S$21,000, and should not own more than one property.

Prior to the income loss or involuntary no-pay leave, the applicant's household income should not have been more than S$7,800, or S$2,600 per capita.

Applicants do not have to provide proof of job search or training prior to applying for the CRG-T, unlike the CRG.

Can't receive at the same time

Individuals who are currently receiving support from any of these following government schemes will not be able to concurrently receive the support from the CRG-T:

  • Covid-19 Recovery Grant
  • ComCare Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance
  • ComCare Long-Term Assistance
  • Seafarers Relief Package
  • Covid-19 Driver Relief Fund
  • SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme — Company Training
  • SGUnited Skills Package

However, past recipients of the CRG, who are not receiving CRG support in June 2021, can apply for the CRG-T, if they continue to need help and meet the eligibility criteria of CRG-T.

Applicants who are Full-time National Servicemen at the point of application are also not eligible for the CRG-T.

Apply between Jun. 3 and Jul. 2

Applications for the CRG-T open at 9am on Jun. 3 and close on 11:59pm on Jul. 2.

Eligible individuals can apply through the online application portal, which will be operational 24/7 during the application period.

MSF added that applicants should prepare their supporting documents in advance for a smooth application process.

Examples of supporting documents include documents on bank account details for fund disbursement, a letter from employer stating no-pay leave or salary reduction of at least 50 per cent for at least one month, or payslips or CPF contribution statements.

Applicants who need help completing the online application form can call the ComCare Call hotline  at 1800-222-0000 or email [email protected].

Those who are unable to apply online can visit or arrange an appointment at their nearest Social Service Office for assistance.

Top image via Facebook / Clean & Green Singapore.