Solidarity Payments to Eligible Singapore Citizens Who Acquired Citizenship by Registration and Turned 21 This Year

Parliamentary Question by Mr Murali Pillai:

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) how many Singapore citizens who acquired their citizenship by registration, have turned 21 years of age this year, have taken their Oaths of Renunciation beforehand and provided their bank account details to the Government, have received their Solidarity Payments late, i.e. after 14 April 2020; (b) what contributed to the delay; and (c) what steps have been taken to address this matter.

Parliamentary Reply by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Mr Heng Swee Keat:

All Singapore Citizens by descent or registration who are 21 years old and above before the Solidarity Payment was paid out on 14 April 2020, need to have taken the Oath of Renunciation, Allegiance and Loyalty. Of all Singaporeans turning 21 this year, 1,320 need to complete their Oath to be eligible for the Solidarity Payment. 

Of the above, 306 Singaporeans had completed their Oath before the Solidarity Payment was made, and received the Solidarity Payment together with all other Singaporeans. The payments were made between 14 April and 13 May, depending on the mode of payment.

A further 392 subsequently completed their Oath, informed MOF, and have received their Solidarity Payment, as of September 2020. 

Of the remaining, 410 have not completed their Oath. They have until their 22nd birthday to do so, and to inform MOF. They will then receive the Solidarity Payment in about a month after informing MOF.