ComCare Short-to-Medium Term Assistance Households with Per Capita Income above $800

Mr Pritam Singh asked the Minister for Social and Family Development for each year from 2022 to 2024, how many ComCare Short-to-Medium Term Assistance households have a per capita income of above $800.

Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: From 2022 to 2024, the number of ComCare Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance (SMTA) households with per capita income above $800 were: 1,689 households in 2022; 1,372 households in 2023; and 1,328 households in 2024. These households account for around 6% of the total number of households receiving SMTA each year 1 .

The Per Capita Household Income benchmark indicates the approximate income level at which households in need could qualify for SMTA but is not meant to be a criterion. Eligibility for SMTA is based on a holistic assessment by the Social Service Offices. For example, a family with household per capita income above the benchmark but having specific needs, such as assistive devices and educational materials for children, can still be granted SMTA.

Note(s) to Question No(s) 27:

1 In July 2023, the Ministry of Social and Family Development raised ComCare SMTA's per capita income benchmark from $650 to $800; this came into effect on 17 July 2023.