Take-up Rate for Physical CDC Vouchers and Reasons for Cessation of Physical Vouchers Issuance
Ministry of Culture, Community and YouthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the cessation of notification letters for May 2025 CDC vouchers, with Mr David Hoe inquiring about redemption rates and the possibility of paper-voucher options. Minister Edwin Tong Chun Fai stated that high average claim rates of 97% and environmental sustainability led to the decision to stop physical letters. He noted that help for digitally-less savvy residents remains available at community centres, with May 2025 claim rates staying comparable to previous tranches. Minister Edwin Tong Chun Fai clarified that vouchers do not roll over as they are for daily expenses, though unused balances can be donated. This policy relies on Singaporeans' familiarity with digital processes and ongoing awareness through various media channels and community posters.
Transcript
78 Mr David Hoe asked the Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) whether physical voucher uptake rates were considered before ceasing issuance of notification letters for May 2025 CDC vouchers; (b) what are the redemption rates disaggregated by age and redemption channels for current and previous tranches in the first (i) week (ii) month of roll-outs; and (c) whether opt-in paper-vouchers options that carry over to future tranches will be considered.
Mr Edwin Tong Chun Fai: I am answering in my capacity as the Minister charged with the responsibility for the People's Association. The Community Development Council (CDC) Vouchers Scheme aims to help Singaporean households cope with the cost of living and support hawkers and heartland merchants.
Over the years, the CDCs have received feedback from residents asking why there was a need for notification letters. Upon review of achieving a consistent high claim rates for CDC vouchers since 2021, averaging about 97% in the past tranches, and in support of environmental sustainability, the CDCs decided to stop sending notification letters from the seventh CDC vouchers tranche onwards, that is, from the May 2025 tranche, after much deliberation.
While there were no notification letters for the May 2025 tranche, the CDCs continued to create public awareness by publicising through various platforms, such as media announcements, newspaper advertisements, social media channels, street banners, digital display panels at lift landings, CDC Vouchers Website and also community posters to guide residents on how to claim and spend their vouchers. Singaporeans who have difficulties with the digital claim process could also seek help at all community centres or community clubs and SG Digital Community Hubs. This assistance to the digitally-less savvy Singaporeans remains unchanged.
In fact, even without the notification letters, the claim rate for the May 2025 tranche remains comparable to the other tranches. This high claim rate is a testimony that Singaporeans are already familiar and comfortable with the claim process.
As for the suggestion to roll-over the vouchers to future tranches, we would like to reiterate that the CDC vouchers are meant to help Singaporeans with their daily expenses. If Singaporeans do not need the vouchers, they can donate the balance vouchers to their preferred Institutions of a Public Character charity.