Better Support for Families with Special Needs Children
Ministry of FinanceSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling’s inquiry about introducing new tax benefits and increasing the Handicapped Child Relief (HCR) to better reflect the costs of raising children with special needs. Minister Lawrence Wong clarified that HCR and Qualifying Child Relief provide recognition for parents rather than defraying full costs, as services are supported through direct subsidies for early intervention and Special Education schools. Support continues into adulthood through the Enabling Employment Credit and Open Door Programme for those capable of working, while others can access subsidised programmes at Day Activity Centres. Minister Lawrence Wong stated that policies are regularly reviewed to ensure more subsidies are provided to those with greater needs across various life stages. He also highlighted the upcoming launch of the Enabling Masterplan 2030 by the Ministry of Social and Family Development to further support individuals with special needs and build an inclusive society.
Transcript
61 Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling asked the Minister for Finance to better support families with special needs children (a) whether there are plans to consider other qualifying tax reliefs, benefits and exemptions in addition to the Handicapped Child Relief (HCR); and (b) whether there are plans to raise the amount of relief under HCR to better reflect the average annual care cost of a child with special needs.
Mr Lawrence Wong: The Government is committed to supporting families with special needs children.
The Qualifying Child Relief (QCR) and Handicapped Child Relief (HCR) are provided as recognition for parents in supporting their children and are not intended to defray the costs of raising children. Apart from these tax reliefs, there are various schemes that more directly offset the cost of services to support children with special needs, with more subsidies given to those with greater needs. These include early intervention programmes, such as the Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children and publicly-funded Special Education schools for students with moderate-to-severe special needs.
We continue to support individuals with special needs through adulthood. Work-capable Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) can receive employment support through the Enabling Employment Credit (EEC) and Open Door Programme (ODP) that provides wage offsets and grants, or other employment support services, to those who hire PwDs. Those who are unable to work can attend subsidised programmes at Day Activity Centres.
The Government remains committed to support those with special needs, through regular reviews of our policies. The new Enabling Masterplan 2030 will be launched by MSF later this year, as part of a continuing journey to build a more inclusive society in Singapore.