| 121. Now let me deal with some
of the queries on the details of the Progress
Package. First, do not be anxious about the need
to sign
up. Most Singaporeans only have to be patient
and wait for the letters to come. The letters
will
tell you exactly how much you will be getting,
then just sign up from April 1 if you want to
receive it on May 1. But even if you are a little
bit late,
we will keep the window open until the end of
the year. Let us know whether you want us to
credit
your bank account or you want the cheque in the
mail. There is no need to put in $50 in your
CPF account this time, but in future we will
think
about it.
122. Only those who meet the age, income and
housing criteria for the Workfare Bonus but do
not have CPF contributions and have not received
a tax return, they are the ones who should fill
in a Workfare Bonus scheme income declaration
form by April 1. It is a serious declaration.
It is an IRAS form. There are serious consequences
if it is not properly filled. Please declare
honestly what you have earned and we will work
on that basis.
123. I also welcome Mr Chew Heng Ching’s
and Madam Ho Geok Choo’s suggestions that
better-off Singaporeans may want to donate their
Progress Package to others because they may not
need the money. They can do so. We have arranged
for this. When they sign up online, they can
donate to a list of available charities.
124. So, the first thing is – do not worry,
the administration is simple. Second, the conditions
are simple and fair. Mr Ang Mong Seng, Dr Teo
Ho Pin, Dr Warren Lee and some members of the
public have asked why we have not used property
ownership instead of place of residence for the
Growth Dividends and CPF top ups, because you
could be living in your parents’ or relatives’ home.
I agree that the proxy of the residential address
is not quite perfect, but generally speaking,
those people living in higher-value homes will
have more resources to call on even if they do
not own the place they live in. If we tried to
determine the person’s exact wealth or
the wealth of the household per capita, it will
be complex and intrusive, and I think Singaporeans
will resent that. If there is some inequity,
or maybe a few people benefit more than they
needed to, we have to take the rough with the
smooth.
125. The Workfare Bonus has the condition that
one must work at least six continuous months
in each year to qualify for the Workfare Bonus.
Many MPs, including Madam Halimah, have asked
us to clarify this because sometimes a person
may be unemployed for a short time, between jobs
or some other reason, in spite of him making
the effort to stay continuously employed. Over
the past week, we have also heard from some low-wage
Singaporeans. So, we have reviewed this and decided
to be flexible. We will allow exceptions for
those who have worked for at least half a year
to also qualify for the bonus, even if their
employment period had a break in it. Let me also
clarify that it does not matter if you switch
from full-time to part-time or contract work.
What we ask for is that you work for six months
- effort from individuals to work regularly and
to help yourselves.
126. There will be other unique circumstances
which we have not anticipated, but it is not
possible to have rules that cater to all of these.
Otherwise, it will be a whole book. So, those
with genuine cases can appeal to the grassroots
advisers who will take up the matter with the
CPF Board. We will continue to work through the
mass media to inform all Singaporeans about the
Progress Package, but we will pay special attention
to those who need additional help to sign up.
We will enlist the help of grassroots leaders
to reach out to residents staying in one and
two-room flats. We will also be working with
the welfare and nursing homes, community hospitals
and even prisons to help the residents get the
Progress Package.
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