301 divorcees on assistance scheme for lower—income families

SINGAPORE: There are 301 divorced mothers on the Home Ownership Plus Education (HOPE) Scheme, an assistance programme for lower—income families who choose to keep their families small.

Benefits include bursaries for the children and grants for housing and utilities.

Acting Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing said a number of divorced women on the scheme had marginally missed the eligibility criteria, but were admitted on a case—by—case basis.

He said in parliament his ministry is reviewing the scheme, and will note Member of Parliament for Nee Soon Group Representation Constituency Lee Bee Wah’s suggestion to raise the age and income limit.

The Acting Minister also outlined the measures that are in place to help women whose ex—husbands default on maintenance payments.

Mr Chan said: "Under the Women’s Charter, the court can make an attachment of earnings order when it makes an order for maintenance. An attachment of earnings order will deduct the maintenance amount directly from the payer’s salary and transfer it to the maintenance recipient. This will help to secure payment of the maintenance."

— CNA/xq