Inclusion of Headcount as Criterion in Determining Support for Large Families Residing in Private Estate Homes

Parliamentary Question by Mr Kwek Hian Chuan Henry:

To ask the Minister for Finance when determining taxes and financial support, whether the Government can consider factoring in the number of people residing within a private estate home so as to better support very large families residing together. 

Parliamentary Reply by Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister for Finance Mr Lawrence Wong:

Our social support schemes are generally means-tested. Various criteria are used for the means tests, and several of them do take into account family sizes.  

For example, we use Per Capita Household Income (PCHI) for certain schemes. This considers the overall financial resources of a household and the number of household members supported by that income. 

With regard to taxes, taxpayers staying with their parents can claim a higher Parent Relief of $9,000 per dependent parent, compared to $5,500 for parents living apart from them. Taxpayers with more children can also claim a higher total amount of Qualifying Child Relief.

More broadly, the Government provides generous support for the healthcare and education needs of all Singaporeans, including those living in private properties. Our education and healthcare subsidies are given on an individual basis, so larger families receive correspondingly more help. 

The Government will continue to review the criteria used for its social support schemes to ensure that assistance is appropriately targeted at those with greater needs.