As the nation gets back on its feet to adjust to the new normal caused by Covid-19 pandemic, the Government will continue to enhance the help and support schemes to keep the economy vibrant and to support businesses and workers, including the self-employed. If you fall into the self-employed category, below are some schemes for your easy reference to help you tide through these challenging times.
Self-Employed Income Relief Scheme (SIRS)
This support scheme was first announced during the Resilience Budget on 26 March and will disburse $9,000 in cash over 9 months to eligible self-employed persons.
It was later extended in the Solidarity Budget, to include Self-Employed Persons (SEPs) who earn a small income of employment as well as those who live in properties with an annual income value of up to $21,000.
Self-employed persons who are aged 37 and above (as of 31 Dec 2020) and declares a positive Net Trade Income to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) / CPF Board (CPFB) in the Work Year 2018 need not apply and will be automatically be included to receive SIRS payouts.
For persons who may not eligible automatically, you may submit your applications with supporting documents here.
If you are a NTUC union member and require further financial support, you may wish to apply for the NTUC Care fund here which provides up to $300.
Application and information can be found here.
SEP Training Support Scheme
Training allowance for attending and completing SkillsFuture courses and approved sector-specific training programmes. $40 million is available to support SEPs to go for training.
If you are looking to upgrade your skills with courses that is co-funded by the Government and NTUC, SEPs can also wish to consider the NTUC Training Fund (SEP). If you are eligible, you may receive up to $11 per hour when you attend the training session. NTUC members get additional $250 UTAP training support per year. More information can be found here.
You can explore other training support schemes here.
Point-to-point Support Package
For taxi drivers and Private Hire Car (PHC) drivers, the drop in ridership has seen a decline in their earnings.
More than $216 million from the Government and industry has been made available to help our drivers.
Eligible drivers can receive relief of $300 per vehicle under the Special Relief Fund.
Drivers are also eligible to receive enhanced training support from SkillsFuture Singapore with up to 90% subsidy for selected courses.
More information here.
Jobs Support Scheme
In encouraging companies to retain their employees amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government launched the Jobs Support Scheme (JSS) that sees a percentage of payout provided to employers to support their workers’ wages for nine months. The scheme was later enhanced to include shareholders and Directors who will be receiving the payout starting from May 2020. The first payout back in April will also be included as a back-payment.
Eligible employers are automatically identified by IRAS. But if you are uncertain, find out on your eligibility here.
You may appeal here should the company not be eligible.
For more information: IRAS
Funding and support for hawkers to opt for delivery services
With the Covid-19 pandemic and implementation of Circuit Breaker, many are turning to delivery when it comes to buying meals. Hawkers, however, are facing a disadvantage as they do not have an online platform and relies on walk-in customers.
To help hawkers sustain their businesses, the National Environment Agency (NEA) is funding a one-off $500 during the Circuit Breaker to encourage them to consider delivery services. This fund is eligible to stallholders operating in hawker centres managed by NEA. More information here.
In providing further support for Hawkers in view of the steep commission by three main delivery platforms, Enterprise SG has launched the Food Delivery Booster Package that recommends alternative delivery platforms with a more suitable commission.
These schemes have been compiled here. Share it forward to those whom you think can benefit from them. Alternatively, check out our other Virtual Resource Packs:
