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SINGAPORE: A new scheme will be introduced to assist Singaporeans and permanent residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) said on Wednesday (December 16).
The COVID-19 Recovery Grant, launching on January 18, targets low-to-middle-income workers and the self-employed.
Despite a series of budget relief measures and several initiatives by the National Employment Council, MSF said that there are “people who continue to be significantly affected by the loss of employment or income.”
“Therefore, the government has decided to provide specific support to help these people while they actively seek new work or training opportunities,” the ministry said.
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Under the COVID-19 Recovery Grant, permanent residents and eligible Singapore residents aged 21 and over will receive up to S $ 700 per month for three months.
This is for employees who have been laid off or terminated their contract, or assigned unpaid leave for at least three consecutive months.
Up to S $ 500 per month will be paid for three months to those who face a salary loss of at least 50 percent on average for at least three consecutive months.
Self-employed individuals who face an average loss of net business income of at least 50 percent over a period of at least three consecutive months compared to their average monthly net business income in 2019 or 2020 are also eligible to receive up to S $ 500 per month. during three months.
Job loss, involuntary leave without pay, or loss of income should have occurred after January 23 this year, when the first case of COVID-19 was detected in Singapore, and must still be present at the point of application .
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Compared to the COVID-19 Support Grant and the Self Employed Income Relief Scheme (SIRS), the COVID-19 Recovery Grant is targeted at those with lower household incomes and those who have suffered a “loss of income more significant, “said MSF.
Under the new COVID-19 grant, applicants’ gross monthly household income must not exceed S $ 7,800, or a per capita monthly income of S $ 2,600, before being affected by the pandemic.
Applicants must also be financially active before being affected. They should have worked for at least six cumulative months between January 2018 and December 2020.
Freelancers should also have reported their net business income in 2019 or 2020.
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Applicants who are dual status workers, those who earn both salary as an employee and business income as a self-employed person, must meet either criteria to be eligible.
“This new criterion is introduced to target aid to those who have been actively involved in employment or trade in the last two years,” said MSF.
Under the grant, applicants must face a loss of income of at least 50 percent on average for at least three consecutive months.
To qualify for the grant, applicants must “demonstrate efforts” in job search or training by applying for job opportunities or skills through government-linked contact points such as the MyCareersFuture portal and the MySkillsFuture portal. They should also have attended job interviews or participated in vocational training courses at Workforce Singapore (WSG) career centers, WSG designated job search providers or NTUC-e2i career centers.
Separately, active taxi drivers and private rental car drivers will be supported by the Land Transportation Authority’s new COVID-19 Driver Assistance Fund.
Drivers who receive the Driver Assistance Fund, which was also announced Wednesday, will not be eligible for the COVID-19 Recovery Grant. However, those who do not qualify for the relief fund can apply for the grant if they meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants who are full-time national military at the time of application will also not be eligible for the grant.
Applicants should also not receive support from the following schemes when applying for the COVID-19 Recovery Grant: ComCare Short- and Medium-Term Assistance, ComCare Long-Term Assistance, Seafarer Assistance Package, SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Program o SGUnited Skills Package.
APPLICATIONS TO OPEN FROM JANUARY 18, 2021
Applications for the COVID-19 Recovery Grant will be open from January 18 to December 31 of next year. Eligible individuals can apply for the grant online via go.gov.sg/CRG from 9 am to 10 pm every day, including weekends and holidays.
Those who need help completing the online application form can call the ComCare Call hotline at 1800 222 0000 or send an email to [email protected]. Those unable to apply for the grant online can visit the nearest Social Service Office for assistance.
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