DPM Heng: No one will be denied support

Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat shared in Parliament that adult permanent residents with Singaporean parents, spouses or children, and holders of the LTVP+ (long-term visit pass plus) can apply for the one-off solidarity payment of $300.

LTVP holders who need further financial support during this period can seek assistance through Social Service Officers.

Mr Heng added that there are different sets of support for different groups of people based on different criteria. “So we need some clear alignment on this and therefore this is a way that we align this with existing schemes that we have. Bear in mind that this support is for a very urgent situation and therefore we have extended it to a wide range and there are already many support schemes.”

Mr Heng who is also Finance Minister said that the Government will ‘exercise more flexibility’ when considering Comcare applications to ensure that affected Singaporean families can get help.

Support for food delivery extended to 1 June

In view of the extension of Circuit Breaker, the Food Delivery Booster Package that supports F&B businesses offering deliveries has been extended to 1 June.

The package that has benefitted more than 9,000 businesses so far provide a 20 per cent fund of delivery cost for F&B businesses that use approved third-party like Lalamove, Zeek and ESG.

For the three main food delivery platforms, the package offers funding for five per cent of the commissions charged.

Senior Minister Chee Hong Tat said, “These are difficult times for our businesses. The Government will continue to support our companies and our workers.”

In Parliament earlier, Mr Chee suggested creating alternative options rather than legislation to better manage concerns raised about high merchant commission fees charged by food delivery platforms.