More cash in assistance & higher allowance for pensioners among moves for social safety nets

The public assistance scheme, which provides a basic level of financial assistance to those who are unable to work, will be enhanced.

A couple will now receive S$90 more per month - for a total of $790 in cash assistance.

A recipient in a single-person household will receive $450 in cash.

Government pensioners will also see their allowance increase by $20 - to $280 per month - a...nd their monthly pension ceiling raised to $1,210.

The government will also improve its social service delivery to make it easier someone to get help.

About 20 Social Service Offices in HDB towns will be rolled out over the next few years.

Eldercare services will also be integrated.

Aged care services of the Centre for Enabled Living and the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) will integrated under one roof at AIC.

The Ministry of Social and Family Development will strengthen its focus on persons with disabilities with an agency dedicated to the disabled.

An additional $200 million will be injected into the ComCare Fund, while another $10 million grant will be given to the self-help groups.