Systems in Place for Adults with Disabilities without Caregiver Support
Ministry of Social and Family DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the support systems and financial safeguards for adults with disabilities whose sole caregivers are unable to provide care. MP Christopher de Souza inquired about these measures, prompting Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli B M M to highlight residential options like Adult Disability Homes and immediate ComCare financial assistance. For long-term security, the Minister cited Trust accounts through the Special Needs Trust Company and CPF payouts via the Special Needs Savings Scheme. He also detailed the Assisted Deputyship Application Programme for legal decision-making and the upcoming Future Care Planning Playbook under the Enabling Masterplan 2030. These initiatives collectively provide comprehensive resources for caregivers to ensure the future welfare and financial stability of their dependants.
Transcript
26 Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) what support systems are in place for adults with disabilities when their sole caregiver is unable to care for them; and (b) how will the Ministry's initiatives help to ensure that adults with disabilities have a guardian and are taken care of financially.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: Families are, typically, the primary providers of care and support for persons with disabilities, but there are instances when a sole caregiver is unable to care for an adult with disabilities. For accommodation, caregivers can approach SG Enable to place their loved one with disabilities in an Adult Disability Home for long-term residential care. If there are immediate financial needs, caregivers can approach their nearest Social Service Office to apply for ComCare financial assistance.
We also encourage caregivers to plan in advance for their dependant's future financial needs. Caregivers can set up Trust accounts for their dependants with disabilities with the Special Needs Trust Company. The principal value of the Trust fund is guaranteed and fees are highly subsidised. In addition, under the Special Needs Savings Scheme, parents can nominate their children with disabilities to receive a regular stream of fixed payouts from their CPF monies when they pass on.
For adults with disabilities who may require a guardian to support them in decision-making in specific domains, the Assisted Deputyship Application Programme (ADAP) makes it easier and more affordable for caregivers of persons with disabilities who lack mental capacity to apply to the Court to be appointed as deputies, so that they can continue to make decisions pertaining to their dependant's welfare and finances, even after their dependant turns 21. To reach out to more caregivers, informational briefings on ADAP are regularly conducted at Special Education schools, Day Activity Centres and Sheltered Workshops.
As mentioned in the Enabling Masterplan 2030, SG Enable will be working with Social Service Agency partners to develop a Future Care Planning Playbook, which will provide caregivers with more information and support on resources so as to develop a future care plan that prioritises the needs and choices of their dependants with disabilities.