Further Singaporeans are now liable for financial aid if the Covid-19 outbreak has impacted their employment and the steps taken to control it.
Yesterday the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) said it would extend the Covid-19 Support Grant to include more Singaporean and permanent resident staff here.
The application for a grant was also moved back from 1 May to 4 or 11 May. It depends on the circumstance of the employee.
The grant was initially planned to help assist those who had lost their jobs because of the pandemic.
MSF said it would now now protect workers on mandatory no-pay leave for at least three consecutive months. In addition, for the workers who for three consecutive months have had their salaries reduced by at least 30%. Such changes in jobs or salary should have taken place after 23 January. It should be there since the first case of Covid-19 in Singapore was identified.
Singaporeans will Get Assistance from Workforce Singapore
Minister for Social and Family Development Desmond Lee said in a Facebook post: “We agree that Singaporeans will need more support after this month. That’s why we agreed to increase the Covid-19 Support Grant when applications are available from May to Sept. 30, 2020.”
The grant would include up to $800 a month for three months for the workers if they meet the job loss or no-pay leave requirements.
Those that have lost their work will also get assistance from Workforce Singapore. And also, the Career and Employability Institute for jobs and training. Anyone on a no-pay leave would also have access to specific SkillsFuture Singapore-subsidized courses.
They may apply as from May 4 for the grant.
Over three months, those who qualify based on their pay cut will earn up to $500 a month. It goes with the quantum dependent on the amount of basic monthly salary missed. Applications are open for a period of five months until Sept 30 2020.
