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Business Times
3 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Business Times
Housing a critical issue for youth who age out of care
[SINGAPORE] Adam (not his real name), was faced with the prospect of not having a home at the age of 21. He admitted that the notion of not having a guaranteed place to sleep was a 'scary one'. A Ministry of Social and Family Development report in 2024 indicated that around 500 children and adolescents in Singapore are in out-of-home residential care due to abuse or neglect. While most eventually re-integrate with their families, a small number – around 30 a year – are unable to do so, and would age out into independent living by the time they turn 21 years old. Cindy Ng, director of Melrose Home, Children's Aid Society (CAS), said: 'Thirty may seem like a small number, but each one represents a young person whose challenges ripple beyond themselves. As the years go by and this group grows, the impact – on their lives and the people around them – becomes even more significant. These are not isolated experiences; they shape our communities and ultimately, our society.' Hence, the Thrive21+ was piloted in 2022 with partners such as CapitaLand Hope Foundation to support care leavers' transition into independent living was beneficial for this group of people, which includes Adam. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up Thrive21+ is a three-year long programme for this group, termed as care leavers, aged 17 and above. The programme aims to help them develop in the areas of educational attainment, asset-building, employment and financial literacy, among other things. The project consists of a year-long independent living preparation (year 1) and a two-year housing programme (years 2 and 3). Under the housing programme, participants rent an apartment together and co-pay the living expenses for years 2 and 3 with the support of social workers. 'This is to reduce (the) cliff effect for the care leavers as they re-integrate into society,' Ng added. Towards the end of the programme for the inaugural batch of beneficiaries, a survey was conducted by Quantedge Foundation (QFS), in collaboration with Children's Aid Society, of Thrive21+, with a focus on the housing initiative component. Survey findings announced on Wednesday (Jul 23) suggested that the housing programme has helped participants attain life skills in several areas. Notable improvements were observed in categories such as money management, health and housing. 'Crucially, the initiative has cushioned some of the shocks that come with transitioning to independent living, providing safety and stability for participants to get their footing right. Not worrying about accommodation costs also allowed participants to pursue their interests and focus on work,' stated the survey, titled Where Reintegration Is Not An Option. The research, 'the first of its kind in Singapore – asks a crucial question: What happens when a young person leaves care but doesn't yet have a stable place to live?' said Alvin Goh, executive director of Children's Aid Society. Improving lives One of the ways suggested that the participants' lives can improve is through housing. The report stated that the dynamics of the free market often do not favour vulnerable individuals such as care leavers as they tend to have fewer resources and support systems. In a tight property market, landlords can afford to be selective, preferring tenants who have a track record of reliability. Eight survey respondents indicated that they were earning money (including allowance from National Service), with the average monthly income being S$1,137, and the median being S$800. This means they could expect to spend around 48 to 69 per cent of their income on rent alone. This makes the financial cost of renting the most significant barrier facing care leavers seeking to rent, noted CAS staff interviewees. 'This is because care leavers can expect to pay S$538 per person in rent in the open market, minimally. In comparison, renters can expect to pay around S$800, minimally, for co-living spaces. In line with expectations, the survey respondents were generally less confident about being able to rent a unit in the private market.' The study said that to effectively facilitate the transition of care leavers into independent living, it is essential to facilitate access to stable housing. Both government and community organisations can play a role in this. 'This could involve facilitating access to public rental housing, providing longer-term stable financial assistance, and partnerships with private landlords to ensure care leavers are given a chance to rent,' it stated. 'The goal is to create a system that proactively facilitates housing stability for care leavers so that they are not completely subjected to the vagaries of the free market.' Minister for Education Desmond Lee, who is also patron of the organisation, said: 'The study's findings show that the journey of care leavers is rarely straightforward, and we need a sustained effort across all of society to support them to overcome the challenges they face.'
Business Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
Subsidies and grants for some 20,000 people miscalculated due to processing issue: MOH
[SINGAPORE] About 20,000 people received the wrong subsidies and grants owing to a processing issue in a government means-testing system. The Ministry of Health (MOH), which manages the Household Means Eligibility System (Homes), said on Jul 21 that corrections to the subsidy and grant levels of those affected are in progress. The ministry added that it has completed a reassessment of the affected individuals' subsidy tiers. The majority of those affected received more subsidies and grants than they were entitled to, said the ministry. They will not have to return the excess subsidy or grant amounts that have already been paid out. Those who received less than they were entitled to will have the difference topped up by government agencies, said MOH. They will receive the reimbursement payments by November. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up MOH said it will adjust the means-test and subsidy tiers of affected individuals to the intended levels from Jul 21. Homes uses income information from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore to means-test individuals with business income. It provides means-testing results for selected subsidy schemes across the government. Explaining the processing issue, MOH said that, in January, Homes could not appropriately account for the business income of some people after changes to data processing timelines. This caused miscalculations in the means-test results of these individuals and members of their households between Jan 1 and 27, said MOH. It added that the roughly 20,000 affected people represent less than 3 per cent of all individuals means-tested during this period. MOH said about 19,000 people were affected for schemes under MOH, while around 1,000 individuals were affected for other schemes under the Early Childhood Development Agency, Ministry of Social and Family Development, Ministry of Education and Infocomm Media Development Authority. The MOH schemes affected by the processing issue are: Community Health Assist Scheme (Chas) Subsidies for CareShield Life or MediShield Life premiums and Additional Premium Support Subsidies for long-term care services Seniors' Mobility and Enabling Fund Equipment Rental Scheme Home Caregiving Grant ElderFund Subsidies at public healthcare institutions for day surgery, inpatient services, specialist outpatient clinics, polyclinic drugs/vaccines and community hospital services Schemes by other government agencies affected by the processing issue are: Early Childhood Development Agency's pre-school subsidies and early intervention schemes Infocomm Media Development Authority's DigitalAccess@Home Scheme Ministry of Education's Higher Education Bursaries and Kindergarten Care Additional Subsidies Ministry of Social and Family Development's Enabling Transport Subsidy, Taxi Subsidy Scheme and Assistive Technology Fund Agencies will reach out to inform those impacted by the processing issue progressively. These individuals do not have to take any action on their part, said MOH. In a similar incident in 2019, about 7,700 people who applied for and renewed their Chas cards in September and October 2018 received inaccurate subsidies after a computer system miscalculated their means-test results. The Straits Times has contacted MOH for more information. THE STRAITS TIMES
AsiaOne
2 days ago
- Business
- AsiaOne
Subsidies and grants for some 20,000 people miscalculated due to processing issue: MOH, Singapore News
About 20,000 people received the wrong subsidies and grants owing to a processing issue in a government means-testing system. The Ministry of Health (MOH), which manages the Household Means Eligibility System (Homes), said on July 21 that corrections to the subsidy and grant levels of those affected are in progress. The ministry added that it has completed a reassessment of the affected individuals' subsidy tiers. The majority of those affected received more subsidies and grants than they were entitled to, said the ministry. They will not have to return the excess subsidy or grant amounts that have already been paid out. Those who received less than they were entitled to will have the difference topped up by government agencies, said MOH. They will receive the reimbursement payments by November. MOH said it will adjust the means-test and subsidy tiers of affected individuals to the intended levels from July 21. Homes uses income information from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore to means-test individuals with business income. It provides means-testing results for selected subsidy schemes across the Government. Explaining the processing issue, MOH said that, in January, Homes could not appropriately account for the business income of some people after changes to data processing timelines. This caused miscalculations in the means-test results of these individuals and members of their households between Jan 1 and 27, said MOH. It added that the roughly 20,000 affected people represent less than 3 per cent of all individuals means-tested during this period. MOH said about 19,000 people were affected for schemes under MOH, while around 1,000 individuals were affected for other schemes under the Early Childhood Development Agency, Ministry of Social and Family Development, Ministry of Education and Infocomm Media Development Authority. The MOH schemes affected by the processing issue are: Health Assist Scheme (Chas) Subsidies for CareShield Life or MediShield Life premiums and Additional Premium Support Subsidies for long-term care services Seniors' Mobility and Enabling Fund Equipment Rental Scheme Home Caregiving Grant ElderFund Subsidies at public healthcare institutions for day surgery, inpatient services, specialist outpatient clinics, polyclinic drugs/vaccines and community hospital services Schemes by other government agencies affected by the processing issue are: Early Childhood Development Agency's pre-school subsidies and early intervention schemes Infocomm Media Development Authority's DigitalAccess@Home Scheme Ministry of Education's Higher Education Bursaries and Kindergarten Care Additional Subsidies Ministry of Social and Family Development's Enabling Transport Subsidy, Taxi Subsidy Scheme and Assistive Technology Fund Agencies will reach out to inform those impacted by the processing issue progressively. These individuals do not have to take any action on their part, said MOH. In a similar incident in 2019, about 7,700 people who applied for and renewed their Chas cards in September and October 2018 received inaccurate subsidies after a computer system miscalculated their means-test results. about 7,700 people who applied for and renewed their Chas cards in September and October 2018 received inaccurate subsidies The Straits Times has contacted MOH for more information. This article was first published in The Straits Times . Permission required for reproduction.
Straits Times
13-07-2025
- General
- Straits Times
‘Nobody deserves to be alone': Why Mummy and Acha have fostered over 20 children in the past 22 years
Since 2003, the married couple has opened up their hearts and homes to build an environment of love, patience and unwavering support Married couple Sivachandran Palaniasmy and Anitha Sivadasan have cared for more than 20 children, including those with special needs, since they started fostering in 2003. As a first-time foster parent, Madam Anitha Sivadasan was not sure what to expect. When paired with a nine-year-old with behavioural issues, the stay-at-home mother found it a challenge to manage her as she was also caring for her own young children then. She and her husband, Mr Sivachandran Palanisamy, tried their best but could not continue caring for the child, so the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) made alternative care arrangements. To help foster parents like Madam Anitha navigate the challenges of caregiving, MSF and the fostering agencies walk alongside them with resources like training and round-the-clock support, including a 24-hour hotline in the case of any emergencies. As such, instead of being deterred by her first experience, Madam Anitha strengthened her resolve and put in a request to MSF to let her foster younger children instead. Watch to learn how Madam Anitha and Mr Sivachandran have opened their hearts and home to their foster children over the years. That decision would reshape the next two decades of their lives. The married couple, then parents to two young children – one in kindergarten and the other in lower primary school – committed to sacrifices that lasted over 10 years. To prioritise the care of their foster children, they chose not to make overseas trips or go on holidays. The former childcare teacher had resigned from her job in 2003 to be a stay-at-home mother. Before leaving the childcare centre, her co-worker floated the idea of fostering . 'I want to give them a home, where they feel safe. I want to give my love to children who are underprivileged,' she says of her decision. 'Both of us decided that maybe it's time for us to do something. While I stay at home and look after my children, I can also foster and give other little ones a happy home,' says Madam Anitha, whose foster children call her 'Mummy', and Mr Sivachandran, 'Acha' (Acha is father in Malayalam and Madam Anitha is of Malayali descent). Their own children – now both working adults – also pitched in to help take care of their foster siblings, without complaints. They also had a helper for additional support. SGShare: How more S'poreans can help the vulnerable Singaporeans now have a new platform to help fellow Singaporeans in need . To mark SG60, Community Chest's regular giving programme, Share, has been rebranded as SGShare to rally more to give regularly and support critical social service programmes. Starting this year, donations will be matched by the Singapore Government under the SG Gives matching grant, with up to $250 million available. Every dollar donated will help vulnerable communities, offering them opportunities to pursue their goals regardless of background. Here is a simple illustration of how your SGShare contribution can go a long way. Over time, as the family got used to the rigours of fostering, they have managed to go on staycations in Singapore. 'When I see the kids happy, I also feel happy' However, fostering can also be exhausting and demanding. Madam Anitha and Mr Sivachandran have had children in their care that needed plenty of hands-on involvement. Mr Sivachandran and Madam Anitha do their best to provide a conducive home environment and instill good values to their foster children. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA These included premature twins, and even a baby that the doctor said would not survive his congenital asthma (but he did, under their care). And now, staying with them long-term are two boys – one diagnosed with Down syndrome and the other with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – aged four and 15 respectively. Mr Sivachandran, who works full-time in the maintenance line, accompanies the children to hospital when they are sick, takes them cycling or swimming, and obliges the four-year-old with the long bus rides he loves. With his four-year-old foster child's love for bus rides, Mr Sivachandran spends his days off exploring different routes together. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA He says: 'Fostering is a big commitment and my colleagues remind me that I'm getting old, but I feel it's all for a good cause. My wife is doing a great thing; she has the patience and can understand them, and I give her my full support.' Adds Madam Anitha: 'Initially we thought we'd go through a lot of pain and stress. But I'm surprised by how fulfilling it feels, even after doing it for 20 years. It's like giving back something to society. When I see the kids happy, I also feel happy. Nobody deserves to be alone.' Making a difference to young lives Fostering is not just for extraordinary people – it is a simple yet powerful act of love. Discover how you can make a difference at the Fostering Open House on 23 August 2025 at Suntec Convention Centre. To register, visit Inspired by Mummy and Acha's journey? Be part of a community that gives back. Visit to explore over 600 causes and help build a more caring, inclusive Singapore. Celebrating SG60 with the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth
New Paper
11-07-2025
- Business
- New Paper
12,000 lower-income households to get $60 transport vouchers by end-July
More than 12,000 lower-income households under the ComCare Short-to-Medium-Term (SMTA) and Long-Term Assistance schemes will automatically receive a $60 public transport voucher (PTV) by the end of July. This is part of the Government's efforts to ease transport costs for lower-income households, said Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow in a Facebook post on July 11. Beneficiaries under the scheme can expect to automatically receive the voucher by July 31 via post or SMS, if they opted in. Residents who previously applied for the voucher but have not received it or need more assistance can appeal online or at their local community centre by Oct 31. Each eligible household will receive one PTV, and these vouchers can be used to top up fare cards or buy monthly passes. The vouchers are valid until March 31, 2026. More than 320,000 vouchers have been given out under this exercise, Mr Siow added. Under the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), ComCare provides financial assistance and social support to individuals and families who need help with daily living expenses. Individuals and families are eligible for the SMTA if they are unable to work for a period of time, are looking for a job or are earning a low-income and require assistance to meet basic living needs. Eligible applicants for Long-Term Assistance are those who are permanently unable to work due to old age, illness or disability, have limited or no means of income, and little or no family support. Applicants can check their eligibility at In January, the Transport Ministry and the People's Association said eligible households that did not receive PTVs in 2024 can apply for the $60 PTVs online or at their local community clubs from Jan 14 to Oct 31 to help defray the public transport fare increase. These are households with a monthly income per person of up to $1,800. From Dec 28, 2024, adult passengers began paying 10 cents more for each train and bus ride, as part of a 6 per cent public transport fare hike, while seniors, students, people with disabilities and low-wage workers enjoying concessionary fares started paying four cents more for each journey. "Our commitment is that public transport will always be affordable for all Singaporeans," Mr Siow added.
