Progress Package Deadline Extended to 18 April

The deadline for signing up for the Progress Package via hard copy forms to receive the Package on 1 May 2006 has been extended by an additional 3 days to 18 April 2006. As CPF Service Centres, Community Centres/Clubs and Community Development Councils are closed on Good Friday, 14 April 2006, the extension will allow Singaporeans more time to sign up.

2 As at 11 April 2006, about 80% or 1.8 million Singaporeans of the 2.3 million who qualify for the Progress Package have signed up to receive the Package on 1 May 2006. Of those who signed up, 40% did so via the ATMs, 50% via the internet and 10% via hard copy forms.

Progress Package Help Desks Helped 90,000 Singaporeans

3 The Ministry of Finance set up the Progress Package Help Desks in 109 Community Centres/Clubs and Community Development Councils to help lower-income and older Singaporeans understand the Progress Package and fill up the forms. These Help Desks have served about 90,000 Singaporeans to date.

4 As the Community Centres/Clubs and Community Development Councils are closed on Good Friday, a public holiday, the Ministry will extend the operations of these Help Desks by an additional 3 days to 18 April 2006. Lower-income and older Singaporeans who need help to sign up can then have more time to do so and not rush on 15 April 2006. The Community Centres/Clubs will be open on 16 April 2006 (Sunday). Those who submit their hard copy forms by 18 April 2006 will be able to receive their Progress Package on 1 May 2006.

5 After 18 April 2006, Singaporeans can continue to pick up sign-up forms from all SingPost offices, Community Centres/Clubs, Community Development Councils or CPF Service Centres till 31 December 2006. Those who require help to sign up can call the Progress Package Hotline at 1800-2222-888 or visit any CPF Service Centre. Those who sign up via hard copy form after 18 April 2006 will receive their Progress Package after 1 May 2006.

Sign-Up Via ATMs and Internet by 25 April 2006

6 Singaporeans can continue to sign up for the Progress Package through the website at www.progress.gov.sg or any DBS/POSB/UOB/OCBC ATM by 25 April 2006 for the money to be credited on 1 May 2006. Those who wish to donate their Progress Package to a charity of their choice can do so via the website, which has a direct link to the National Council of Social Services' Online Donation Portal. Between 1 and 11 April 2006, over 2,600 Singaporeans have donated part or all of their Progress Package to charity.

Public Enquiries

7 For more information on the Progress Package, the public can visit the Progress Package website at www.progress.gov.sg or call the CPF Board at 1800-2222-888.

Ministry of Finance