Eligibility for ComCare Short-to-Medium Term Assistance under Past and Present Per Capita Household Income Benchmarks

Mr Leong Mun Wai asked the Minister for Social and Family Development what is the estimated number of households that are eligible for ComCare Short-to-Medium Term Assistance under (i) the previous per capita household income benchmark in 2014, when it was last revised, (ii) the previous per capita household income benchmark in 2023 and (iii) the new per capita household income benchmark.

Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: The per capita household income (PCHI) benchmark indicates the approximate income level at which households could qualify and is not a criterion that once met would automatically qualify a household for ComCare Short-to-Medium Term Assistance (SMTA). Eligibility for SMTA is based on a holistic assessment by Social Service Offices, taking into account factors, such as household income, savings and availability of family support. The PCHI benchmark is, therefore, not used to determine the number of eligible households.