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SINGAPORE – Singapore will extend a one-time baby support grant of $ 3,000, originally offered to parents of babies born between October 1, 2020 and September 30, 2022, to those whose babies were born before October, but who had a certified estimated due date on or after October 1.
This was announced by Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, in Parliament on Thursday (October 15). He said authorities had heard comments, appeals and “even petitions” from this specific group of parents.
The grant aims to provide additional support to help couples defray the costs of parenting during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the National Population and Talent Division (NPTD) said when it announced the initiative last week. .
It was designed to increase the existing baby bonus cash gift and provide additional support for parents who want to have a child so they don’t put off their parenting plans, said Indranee, who oversees the NPTD.
“I fully understand that parents who were not eligible to receive the Baby Support Grant are disappointed, especially as this has been a challenging year for everyone,” he said.
“I acknowledge your concerns and I think it would be helpful to share more about our considerations when designing this scheme.”
Multiple start dates considered
Several start dates were considered, including January 1 of next year as part of the Budget for 2021. However, the government considered it important to obtain the support as quickly as possible, hence the decision to make the grant effective from October .
“Regardless of the effective start date, there will always be some babies born earlier. The calls we have received to change the start date of the Baby Support Scholarship come with a wide range of suggestions for the start date, ”Indranee said.
These included January 1, April, when the breaker period began, and even a suggestion that the grant be extended to all children under the age of seven.
“Each group has reasons for the proposed dates, and looking at them from their perspective, they are all valid. But we can only choose one date, and whatever date we choose, there will be groups that are not covered, ”said Indranee.
Other Parent Support Scholarships
Indranee highlighted other government support already available to parents of children born before October 1. These parents can receive cash and “cash-like support” ranging from $ 18,000 for the first child to $ 32,000 for the fifth and subsequent children, not including the Baby Support Grant.
Infant and child care subsidies have also been improved, and families can now receive up to $ 1,310 in child care subsidies or up to $ 767 in child care subsidies each month.
“We understand the difficulties families, especially those with infants and young children, face during this period,” Indranee said.
He added that the government will continue to review and improve the set of measures already in place to help Singaporeans start and grow families.
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