CUT-OFF OF ELECTRICITY SUPPLY

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CUT-OFF OF ELECTRICITY SUPPLY

20.

Mdm Halimah Yacob asked the Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports (a) whether his Ministry is aware of the plight of the family whose electricity supply has been cut off for not having paid the arrears because the sole breadwinner is unemployed due to kidney problems; (b) whether any assistance has been rendered to the family; and (c) what schemes are there to help those with long term chronic illnesses and are unable to work or can only do limited kinds of work.

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: Madam Halimah has highlighted the plight of the family where the breadwinner became unemployed due to kidney problems and the electricity supply was cut off due to arrears in payment. The family was affected by a fire in their Eunos Crescent flat on 21st July 2004.

The Community Development Councils (CDCs) help to implement the financial assistance programmes that MCDS has put in place. In the case of the family, South East CDC has extended a grant of $300 per month for three months, from August to October 2004, to help tide the family over the period as both parents are unemployed, and their two older children, aged 23 and 19 years, have only just started working. The CDC also gave the family a $100 NTUC voucher for buying food and other necessities.

The family also received assistance from other sources following the incident. The Kampong Ubi Citizen's Consultative Committee (CCC) helped pay in full the family's outstanding arrears in utilities and serviceand conservancy fees, amounting to about $1,500. They also made arrangements with the Kampong Ubi PAP Community Foundation (PCF), to provide school uniform and textbooks for the youngest child, a Secondary 1 student, to ensure that his school classes are not disrupted.

An additional $5,400 was raised for the family by the secondary school where the youngest child is schooling, while Singapore Power Services contributed and installed lightings and electrical fittings amounting to $220 for their refurbished flat.

The refurbishment of the flat was paid for by HDB Fire Insurance. The family has moved back to their flat, and has expressed gratitude for the assistance which they have received. South East CDC will continue to keep in contact with the family to provide further assistance if necessary.

Madam Halimah has asked about assistance for those with long-term chronic illnesses, and who are unable to or can only do limited work. My Ministry presently has two assistance schemes that are able to help such individuals and their families.

Under the Interim Financial Assistance Scheme (IFAS), needy individuals and families receive a monthly allowance and where necessary, grants to help them pay for the utilities and serviceand conservancy charges. For those living in rental flats, they can apply for the Rent and Utilities Assistance Scheme (RUAS) for help in their monthly rental and utilities bills. MOE may also exempt the children from paying school fees. Applications for IFAS or RUAS assistance can be made at the relevant Community Development Council.

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In addition to these schemes, families with young children who need child care or pre-school support, can also seek help from the Community Development Councils. Those who need assistance with payment of medical bills can approach the Medical Social Workers at the restructured hospital or polyclinic for assistance.

Families in need of financial assistance should approach their Community Development Council early so that appropriate help can be extended in time.