SINGAPORE — About 28,000 low-income workers can claim a payout worth up to $150 under an aid package from the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) to help meet daily expenses amid higher inflation.
Eligibility for the nearly $3.7 million NTUC Care Fund (Special Assistance) program, as well as the amount paid out, depend both on an individual’s income and whether the applicant – who must be a union member – is with a family lives or not.
Those who live with family members and have either a gross monthly household income of $3,400 including overtime and allowances or a per capita income of $850 and less receive $150.
Those not living with family members receive $60 if their gross monthly personal income is $1,500 or less, including overtime and allowances.
Applicants must also not be in arrears with membership dues and have at least six consecutive months of paid union membership.
You can apply from Monday (22 August) to 30 September This website.
Successful applicants will receive the money via bank transfer within 30 days of application.
Financial support comes from the NTUC-U Care Fund, established to consolidate the labor movement’s fundraising efforts. Since its inception in 2009, it has paid out more than $110 million to workers.
NTUC Deputy Secretary General Desmond Tan introduced the program on Saturday morning at an annual education awards ceremony held by the Singapore Industrial and Services Employees’ Union (Siseu).
More than 250 students who are children of Siseu members received scholarships at the NTUC Center on Marina Boulevard.
In a speech, Mr Tan, who is also Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, said: “We hope that this program coupled with the government support measures will bring relief to our members on this journey with them.”
He added that Singapore and its workers have every reason to be proud and confident in their response to the pandemic, citing media reports of findings from American think tank Pew Research Centre. Results released earlier this month showed that the majority of Singaporeans feel more united than before the pandemic.
