For the friends living abroad, it is not only important to care about the exchange rate changes, but also about the relevant policies. Today Panda introduces 12 new policies in April in Singapore.

 

 

New Policies on Subsidy

 

Low-income households in Singapore receive subsidies for broadband and electronic devices

 

The program, which began on April 3, provides subsidies for broadband and electronic devices for low-income families. In addition, existing beneficiaries of specific government assistance programs only need to pay 5 S$ per month for 500Mbps broadband services.

 

 

Students under the Ministry of Education's FAS also receive the highest subsidy for their families based on income. In addition to the provision of electronic equipment, the Ministry of Communications and Information would also cooperate with other "Digital for Life" partners to provide computer and technology courses for low-income families, with at least 2,200 training places available each year!

 

In the second half of next year, platform workers under the age of 30 are required to pay provident fund

 

To ensure the retirement ability of platform workers and increase their total income, Singapore has announced that starting from the second half of next year, platform workers under the age of 30 will be required to contribute to the provident fund.

 

Senior Minister of Ministry of Manpower, Xu Baokun, explained the following relevant details:

 

1. From the second half of next year, platform workers born in 1995 or later, that is, under the age of 30, will be forced to fill the provident fund; The first-year contribution rate ranges from 10.5% to 13%, and employees aged 30 and above can choose whether or not to contribute to the provident fund.

 

2. 75% of the contributions to the general and special accounts in the first year are borne by the government. And the government introduced the CPF Transition Support to ease their burden.

 

In the first year of the plan, the government will bear 75% of the provident fund contributions for ordinary and special accounts of employees on lower income platforms, while employees only need to bear 25%.

 

In the next three years, the proportion of platform workers who need to pay their own provident fund will increase year by year.

 

 

From the second half of next year, all qualified platform workers will receive employment income subsidy every month.

 

When the provident fund contribution rate of platform workers reaches the statutory level, they can receive employment income subsidies of up to 4,200 S$ per year, of which 40% will be cash subsidies.

 

Employers who employ disabled individuals and former prisoners will receive subsidies

 

From next month, the government will pay more to employers who hire disabled people and former prisoners.

 

1. For every disabled person who is unemployed for at least six months, employers will receive up to 40% of their monthly salary for up to nine months, after which the subsidy will be reduced to 20%.

 

This means that employers can receive up to 8,400 S$ in the first year of hiring people with disabilities.

 

 

2. From April this year to December 2025, employers will receive 20% of the monthly salary subsidy for nine months as long as they employ former prisoners through the Yellow Ribbon Project and the employment plan of the Singapore Prison Service.

 

Teachers, nurses, clerks and other social workers receive salary increases

 

From March this year, the Progressive Wage Credit Scheme (PWCS) would be introduced to more industries and assistance will increase.

 

1. Starting from March 2023, it has been promoted to catering services, administrative personnel, and drivers. Starting from April 1, it would be promoted to social service workers such as social workers, therapists, special education school teachers, psychologists, counselors, nurses, and clerks. Starting from July 2023, it will be promoted to the waste management industry.

 

2. The salary increase rate will be increased from 50% to 75%; When resident employees with a total monthly salary of 2,500 S$ to 3,000 S$ receive a salary increase, the government subsidy ratio will be increased from 30% to 45%.

 

 

Outpatient Cancer Drug Claim Ceiling Raised to 3,600 S$

 

Last September, the Ministry of Health introduced separate claims ceilings for outpatient cancer drug services, including 1,200 S$ each year for lifetime health insurance and 600 S$ each year for Medisave.

 

 

This year, the Ministry of Health has increased the lifetime health insurance limit from 1,200 S$ / year to 3600 S$ / year from April 1st!

 

In addition, patients who have already requested compensation for cancer drug services can also make additional lifelong health insurance claims.

 

New Deal for Life

 

From May 1st, children aged 4-12 will receive 100 S$ ActiveSG cash points.

In 2023, the Singapore government offers 100S$ ActiveSG cash points to local citizens and PR children aged 4-12!

 

On May 1st of this year, ActiveSG members can automatically earn cash points!

 

 

Non members who register between May 1st and October 31st can earn 200S$ cash points!

 

Points can offset the courses of ActiveSG Sports Academy and Club, as well as the cost of participating in competitions, and can also pay for the entrance fee of swimming pool and the cost of booking sports facilities.

 

From July 3, the purchase of plastic bags must pay 0.05 S$

 

From July 3 this year, all large supermarkets across the island no longer provide free plastic bags, and each plastic bag must be purchased for at least 0.05S$!

 

 

This policy only targets supermarkets with annual revenue exceeding S$100 million, including NTUC Fairprice, Sheng Siong, Prime, as well as Cold Storage and Giant. It is estimated that more than 400 supermarkets will be affected and the fees collected will be used to support environmental protection projects.

 

Small neighborhood supermarkets can develop their own charging system for plastic bags.

 

Singapore tightens Commercial Vehicle Emissions Scheme

 

From April 1, Singapore will tighten the incentive measures for the Commercial Vehicle Emissions Scheme and Early Turnover Scheme. The emission reduction performance of light commercial vehicles will be divided into three levels A, B, and C, and corresponding rewards or surcharges would be given based on the emission reduction performance.

 

For example, A-level represents the best emission reduction performance and enjoys the highest reward of S$15,000; B-level reward of S$5,000; The additional fee required for purchasing C-level cars has increased from S$10,000 to S$15,000.

 

Electricity prices fell in the first quarter of 2023

 

SP Group announced energy prices for the first quarter of 2023, with electricity prices dropping 2.7 percent and gas prices dropping 3.9 percent compared to the fourth quarter in 2022.

 

 

From January 1 to March 31, 2023, electricity per kilowatt-hour excluding excise duty was 28.95 cents. Taking a four bedroom apartment as an example, the average monthly electricity bill has decreased by S$2.63. However, with the addition of a new consumption tax of 8%, the new electricity price is 31.27 cents per kilowatt hour.

 

Sentosa Island resumed entrance fee

 

According to the latest news released on the Sentosa website, this temporary measure aimed at supporting local businesses during the coronavirus outbreak ended after March 31. From April 1, the entrance fee would revert to the pre-epidemic fee.

 

Visitors taking the Sentosa Express have to pay a S$4 entrance fee per person. The elderly, people with disabilities, primary and secondary school and high school students, students from Institute of Technical Education and holders of employment discount car fare cards can enjoy a half-price discount of S$2 per person. Children under 3 years old are free.

 

There are two types of car and taxi charges: from 7 a.m. to 12 noon and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., each car is charged S$6. From 12 noon to 2 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. the next day, the price is S$2 per car.

 

The public who take the Bus service 123 , ride bicycles, or walk into the island are not required to pay entrance fee.

 

The second round of U-save

 

The payout month & quantum of U-save in 2023 is paid quarterly in January, April, July and October. The amount varies according to the number of rooms in the house. The amount of each time consists of "regular rebates + additional rebates," with a maximum of 760 S$ per year

 

Amount of subsidy:

1-and 2- Room: Monthly amount is regular rebate $95 + additional rebate $95, total $760 for the whole year.

3- room: Monthly amount is regular rebate $85 + additional rebate $85, total $680 for the whole year.

4- room: Monthly amount is regular rebate $75 + additional rebate $75, total $600 for the whole year.

5- room: Monthly amount is regular rebate $65 + additional rebate $65, total $520 for the whole year.

 

HDB Flat Type, Multi-Generation HDB flats: Regular Rebate $55 + Additional Rebate $55 per month for a total of $440 per year.

 

Beneficiaries: Families living in HDB flats who meet the following criteria

1. If you are a homeowner and do not rent out your home: There must be at least one Singapore citizen owner living in the home; All owners and the main occupiers of the house are not allowed to own more than one property.

2. If you are a tenant and rent the whole house: at least one tenant must be a Singapore citizen; All tenants are not allowed to own more than one property.

 

Government subsidy for house purchases

 

To make it possible for more people to live in their own houses, the Singapore government has granted additional CPF home purchase allowances to specific groups. Starting from April this year, the money can be credited to the CPF accounts of eligible claimants.

 

 

Beneficiaries: First-time buyers of resale HDB flats.

Amount of subsidy:

The purchase of a two-room to four-room resale HDB flat can receive an additional S$30,000.

The purchase of a five-room or large unit can receive an additional S$10,000.

 

 

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