According to CNA, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on June 21 that about 1.5 million Singaporeans will receive up to S$300 as part of a special GST voucher payment in August 2022.
This payment will be in addition to the regular GST Voucher – Cash of up to S$400 that was announced earlier in 2022, according to The Straits Times.
Those who are eligible can receive up to a maximum of SGD$700. ($400 + $300)
Wong stated that the war in Ukraine has affected global supply chains and the prices of necessities such as energy and food have greatly increased.
He said that inflation will eventually stabilise for Singapore and the rest of the world. He added that price increases will continue for the coming months and energy prices are expected to increase for the year.
The package will benefit 1.5million low to middle-income and retirees without income
The package will include a $100 utilities credit
Eligible local taxi drivers and PHV will receive $150 as a one-off to offset fuel cost
| Individuals and Households | · GSTV – Cash Special Payment of up to $300, on top of the regular GSTV-Cash to be received this year.· $100 Household Utilities Credit for every Singaporean household.· Permanent enhancements to ComCare Short- to Medium-Term Assistance (SMTA) and Long-Term Assistance (LTA).· Permanent revision of Singapore Allowance and monthly pension ceiling to support pensioners who draw lower pensions. |
| Self-Employed Persons | · One-off relief of $150 for eligible taxi main hirers and private hire car drivers in August 2022.· Up to $300 in cash under the NTUC Freelancers and Self-Employed Unit (U FSE) Relief Scheme for combi bus drivers, limousine drivers, delivery drivers, and delivery motorcycle riders who are association members. Application is needed. |
| Businesses | · Government’s co-funding share for 2022 Progressive Wage Credit Scheme (PWCS) support will increase from 50% to 75%for wages up to $2,500 (First tier) and from 30% to 45% for wages above $2,500 up to $3,000 (Second tier).· Businesses can continue to benefit from the current Jobs Growth Incentive till September 2022, when they hire mature jobseekers who have not been working for at least six months, as well as persons with disabilities or ex-offenders. To sustain support for employers of vulnerable workers, we will extend the JGI for another six months to March 2023. MOM will provide more details of the JGI extension closer to its expiry.· 1-month Foreign Worker Levy waiver for Singapore’s 11 chicken slaughterhouses to support firms affected by chicken export ban.· Energy Efficiency Grant for local SMEs in the Food Services, Food Manufacturing, and Retail sectors with up to 70% support to adopt energy-efficient equipment in pre-approved categories.· Enterprise Financing Scheme – Trade Loan’s maximum loan quantum increased to $10m from 1 July 2022 to 31 March 2023; extended 70% risk-share during this period.· Enterprise Financing Scheme – SME Working Capital Loan’s maximum loan quantum increased to $500,000 from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023, after the Temporary Bridging Loan Programme expires on 30 September 2022. |
Image Source: Lawrence Wong Facebook