Application and Success Rates of Special Approval for Additional Subsidies by Non-working Main Applicants since 2023

14 Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked the Minister for Social and Family Development for each year since 2023 (a) what is the (i) application rate and (ii) success rate of Special Approval applications for Additional subsidy for infant and childcare by non-working main applicants; (b) what are the common reasons cited in Special Approval applications for Additional subsidy.

Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: Under Special Approval, non-working applicants can receive subsidy support equivalent to what a working applicant can receive under extenuating circumstances. From 2023 to 2025, common reasons cited in applications include needing to care for other dependants, seeking employment, undergoing training/skills upgrading, pregnancy and illness.

From 2023 to 2025, around 3% of all recipients of Basic and Additional Subsidy applied for Special Approval. The approval rate for applications have remained high at around nine in 10.

To better support lower-income families, we have extended full childcare subsidies to families with a monthly household income of $6,000 or below for their income tier, regardless of the applicant's working status. Additionally, families under the Housing and Development Board's Public Rental Scheme and the Ministry of Social and Family Development's ComCare schemes have been automatically eligible for maximum preschool subsidies, regardless of the applicant's working status.