RI T2W5 Measures to address socioeconoic challenges 2021

Measures to Address Inequality•State provision of social services driven by of principles of self-reliance and meritocracy•Focused on ensuring social mobility by levelling playing fields•Involves multipleministries/agencies and voluntary welfare organisations•Constrainedby concerns of cost, sustainability, and avoiding a dependency mentality

Source: MSF (2014)Refer to textbook pg. 130•Multiple lines of assistance target specific groups in need provide grantsand subsidies•Various govt. agencies administer aid for particular arease.g.MOE: public education; ECDA: childcare

Measures to Address Inequality•ComCareprovides •Public assistance (a.k.a. long-term financial assistance) of $500-870/mthfor those unable to work and support themselves (~3,800 mostly elderly households)•Short-to-medium term assistance and ad hoc urgent financial assistance gives immediate help in the form of cash, vouchers and food rations to families going through difficult periods (job loss, medical crisis, etc.)•Alsosubsidiesfor childcare, pre-school and student care

Measures to Address Inequality•Workfare Income Supplement Scheme: govt. top-ups to low-income workers’ salaries; Singaporeans who earn up to $2,000/mthand worked 2 out of 3 months can get up to $3,600/yrin cash and CPF contributions•Complemented by Workfare Training Support Scheme that offers up to 95% course subsidies, training allowances and cash rewards for completing courses

Measures to Address Inequality•Low-income families meeting eligibility requirements can rent HDB flats at heavily subsidisedrates under the Public Rental Scheme•For purchase of subsidisedHDB flats, low-income families can receive an Additional CPF Housing Grant of up to $40k, on top of a Special CPF Housing Grant of up to another $40k, for a total of $80k in subsidies •Low-income/needy families also have access to HDB financial assistance for mortgage payments and upgrading costs

Measures to Address Inequality•Children from low-income qualify for MOE Financial Assistance, which covers school fees, textbooks, uniforms, and a public transport subsidy•MOE, EdusaveMerit, and other institutional/private bursarieshelp defray education expenses with cash grants•Subsidisedtuition classes by community self-help groups (e.g. CDAC)

Measures to Address Inequality•MOE preschools –to ensure access to low-cost childcare and early education•KidStart–additional preschool support for low-income families•UPLIFT scholarship to help low-income Independent School students

Measures to Address Inequality•Affordable healthcare•Medisave: compulsory individual medical savings used to pay medical bills•MedishieldLife: national basic health insurance scheme, payable with Medisave•Medifund: financial assistance for patients who have difficulty paying remaining bills•Subsidiespublic polyclinics and public/restructured general hospitals + Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) at private GP and dental clinics

Measures to Address Inequality•Sources of funding for m