I refer to the article “Community voucher scheme for low-income families rolled out at Pasir Ris West” (Straits Tines, Mar 9).
New voucher scheme launched?
It states that “Some 100 households are expected to benefit from the voucher initiative, which was launched by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean – who is also an MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, which the ward falls under – at Pasir Ris West Plaza on Sunday morning.
Only 1,000 plus families will benefit from one-time $50 voucher?
Under the initiative, each household successful in its application will receive up to $50 worth of vouchers in denominations of $2, $5 and $10.
It was first launched in 2012 at the Bedok Reservoir-Punggol ward and has benefitted more than 1,000 needy residents in areas such as Tampines Changkat, Eunos and Pasir Ris East.”
Is the $50 voucher a one-time only voucher?
How many have benefitted in the whole of Singapore?
Since only more than 1,000 needy residents have benefitted from this voucher in this one Community Development Council (CDC), how many have benefited in all the 5 CDCs?
As there were 33,266 beneficiaries (needy families) that received ComCare assistance acccording to the ComCare annual report for FY2012 ended 31 March 2013 – why is it that this $50 voucher seems to be benefitting a very small proportion of the 33,266 needy families?
ComCare assistance?
Does the fact that such a new voucher scheme has to be launched to give just a one-time voucher of only $50, indicate that the financial assistance that many needy families are getting under ComCare may not be enough?
Why is there no breakdown in the annual report as to how much assistance exactly are needy families getting monthly?
From the total ComCare assistance given out in the Short and Medium Term Assistance schemes, I have worked out the average monthly assistance per needy family (total payouts in a year divided by the number of needy families) per month to be about $333 and $328, respectively.
Criteria to qualify?
As to “To apply, households living within the district, which spans from blocks 500 to 782, can fill in application forms that will be available at the Pasir Ris West Community Club from Sunday”
- Why are the media reports silent as to what is the criteria to qualify for the voucher?
Also, since as I understand it – there is already comprehensive data about the needy families currently receiving ComCare - that are also reviewed periodically – why is there a need for the needy families to collect a form to apply?
In this connection, how will needy families be made aware of this new voucher scheme?
Leong Sze Hian