Public Assistance Scheme and Caseload at Community Development Councils

Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked the Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports in respect of the Public Assistance Scheme for each of the years from 2006 to 2011 (a) what was the number of applications to the Scheme; (b) what was the percentage of applications that were rejected; (c) what were the reasons for rejection and their percentages; and (d) what kinds of follow-up checks or assistance were provided to rejected applicants.

Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked the Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports for each of the years from 2007 to 2011 (a) what was the average caseload of Community Development Council (CDC) ComCare consultants in terms of active ongoing cases per month; (b) what was the average number of new cases assigned to CDC ComCare consultants per month; (c) what was the average number of investigations per consultant conducted by CDC ComCare consultants; (d) what was the average number of CDC ComCare consultants per supervisor; and (e) what was the percentage of CDC ComCare consultants who are professionally trained social workers.

Mr Chan Chun Sing: The Public Assistance (PA) scheme provides Singapore citizens, who due to age, illness, disability or family circumstances, are unable to work and have little means of support. Most PA recipients remain on the scheme for the long term. Between 2007 and 2011, the number of new applications, approvals and rejections are as shown below:

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Among the rejected applications, 37% was due to the applicants having income, savings or other forms of financial support. Eighteen percent could not be processed because the applicants did not provide the necessary information for proper assessment or could not be contacted. The remainder were rejected due to other reasons, including clients withdrawing their applications.

Applicants who are not eligible for the Public Assistance scheme but still need help may be assisted under other ComCare schemes for the short to medium terms. Some may also receive help through the CDCs' local schemes or referred to help agencies such as Family Service Centres for other forms of assistance.

For each of the years between 2007 and 2011, active ComCare cases 19 handled by a CDC officer numbered between 60 and 84. The average was 70. Similarly, for each of the years between 2007 and 2011, new applications per CDC officer numbered between 13 and 26 per month, with an average of 20 per month.

A supervisor will supervise about six social assistance officers. Each case would involve some form of investigation. However, the bulk of a CDC officer's work in administering ComCare cases does not require professional social work training. About 6% of the investigative officers have social work degree. Clients who need social work intervention will be referred to the Family Services Centres.