UPDATED: COVID-19 Support Grant Singapore 2020

Viewed by 6,176 Smart Towkays

Sep 23, 2020

UPDATED: 23rd September 2020

The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) has announced two changes to the eligibility criteria for the Covid-19 Support Grant:

The revised eligibility criteria will take effect from 1st October 2020 at 09:00am.

For Singaporeans and Permanent Residents (PRs) applying for the Covid-19 Support Grant, besides showing proof of lost of job and on involuntary No-pay Leave, they also must not own more than one property.

Singaporeans and PRs also need to submit supporting documents to show proof of job search or training efforts to be eligibile for the Covid-19 Support Grant. All unemployed first-time and second-time applicants can apply as long as they demostrate job search or training efforts.

Beneficiaries who have received the full grant or are in the final month of the grant assistance may submit their application from 1st October 2020 for a further three months of support.

Applications for the grant has been extended till 31st December 2020.

Click here to apply.

Original article published on 4th May 2020

The Covid-19 Support Grant aims to support Singaporeans and Permanent Residents (PRs) who are financially impacted by the pandemic by providing a cash grant to eligible applicants for three months.

Previously, the grant was only applicable for those who lost their jobs due to the pandemic after 23rd January 2020, when the first case of Covid-19 was detected in Singapore. It has now expanded the criteria to include Singaporeans and PRs who have been put on involuntary no-pay leave or have had at least 30 per cent salary cut for three consecutive months.

For those who have lost their job or on involuntary no-pay leave (NPL), monthly cash grant will be based on the applicant’s last drawn monthly salary, capped at S$800. For those who experience a salary cut of at least 30 per cent for three consecutive months, monthly cash grant will be based on the applicant’s last drawn monthly salary, capped at S$500.

We are not encouraging employers to reduce their employees' salary or put them on NPL, or even as a last resort to let go of their employees. But if due to unforeseen circumstances, any one of the above scenarios were to happen, as responsible employers, please at least inform your employees so that they can be aware of this government support grant that they may apply for. However, please note that if your company is eligible for the Job Support Scheme, the above three scenarios will affect the payout that your company receives. (Companies may also want to consider applying for the WorkLife Grant if your employees are on Flexi-Work Arrangements.)

Application for the Covid-19 Support Grant starts today, 4th May 2020, until 30th September 2020. Apply online at go.gov.sg/CSG from 4th May 2020 (for those who lost their jobs or were placed on involuntary NPL for at least three consecutive months due to COVID-19) and 11th May 2020 (for those who had their monthly salaries reduced by at least 30% in each month for at least three consecutive months due to COVID-19). Processing time takes approximately two weeks upon submission of supporting documents.

In addition to the monetary support, those who have lost their jobs will also receive employment and training support from Workforce Singapore and the Employment and Employability Institute. And those on no-pay leave will have access to relevant courses subsidised by SkillsFuture Singapore.

The eligibility criteria for the COVID-19 Support Grant are as follows:

· Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents aged 16 years and above.

· Full-time or part-time employees affected by the economic impact of the COVID-19 situation (loss of job/income or start of involuntary NPL should have occurred after 23 Jan 2020):

     - Presently unemployed due to retrenchment/contract termination;

     - Presently on involuntary NPL for a period of at least three consecutive months (e.g. Mar - May 2020, May - Jul 2020); or

     - Presently experiencing reduced monthly salary of at least 30% for a period of at least three consecutive months (e.g. Mar - May 2020, May - Jul 2020);

· Prior gross monthly household income of ≤$10,000, or monthly per capita income of ≤$3,100

· Live in a property with annual value of ≤$21,000; and

· Not a current beneficiary of ComCare assistance, i.e. Long-Term Assistance, & Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance.(Note: ComCare clients currently receive comprehensive support, and will be assisted by SSOs if they require more assistance due to changes in their financial circumstances)

· Has not already received, or is currently not receiving the COVID-19 Support Grant or the Self-Employed Persons Income Relief Scheme (SIRS)

· Full-time National Servicemen and interns are not eligible

Recipients of the support grant must:

· Have been employed as a full-time or part-time permanent or contract staff prior to job/income loss; and

· Agree to actively participate in job search or attend a training programme under Workforce Singapore or the Employment and Employability Institute.

Supporting documents required

· NRIC

· Bank account number (for fund disbursement)

· Relevant documents indicating loss of job, being on involuntary NPL or reduction of at least 30% salary for at least three consecutive months; such as

      - Letter of retrenchment/termination of contract

        - Letter from employer stating being placed on involuntary NPL for at least three consecutive months

      - Letter from employer indicating loss of at least 30% salary for at least three consecutive months

· Payslip(s) or CPF contribution statement(s) showing last drawn monthly salary, before loss of job, being placed on involuntary NPL, or loss of at least 30% of salary

Those who need help filling in the online application form can call the ComCare Call hotline (1800-222-0000) for assistance. Those who are not able to apply online can approach their nearest Social Service Offices (go.gov.sg/ssolocator) to schedule an application slot.

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