The Public Assistance (PA) scheme is a long-term assistance scheme targeted at the most needy in Singapore. If you are not work-capable due to old age, illness or disability, have limited financial means to sustain basic living, and have no or very little family support, you may seek help under the PA scheme.
Who Can Apply
- Needy Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents who are not able to work due to old age, illness, disability or unfavourable family circumstances, and have limited or no income and family support.
- Needy older persons who have no other means of support apart from a small monthly payout from CPF Minimum Sum or CPF LIFE, pension, ElderShield and the Lease Buyback scheme, and who fulfill all other PA criteria.
- Needy older persons, whose children are unable to support them adequately because they are themselves needy, may apply for PA if each child’s gross household income is $1,500 or lower.
If you face these circumstances, please approach the Community Development Council (CDC) in your district for more information and to assess if you are eligible for PA.
If you have some means of support (e.g. savings, rental income or other payouts) or have family members who can work and/or contribute to your care and needs, the CDC will take these into consideration when they assess your application.
Assistance Provided
You may be helped with:
- Cash Grants - Monthly cash grants to help with your basic living expenses, depending on your household size.
| Household Size |
Rates |
| 1 - Person |
$400 |
| 2 - Persons |
$700 |
| 3 - Persons |
$880 |
| 4 - Persons |
$1,050 |
- Medical Assistance - Free treatment at polyclinics and government/ restructured hospitals
- Additional Assistance - PA families with children may receive additional assistance of up to $150 per child per month.
- Educational Assistance – Assistance with school fees, textbooks and other schooling needs.
Assistance may be provided up to a period of 12 months in the first instance, and will be reviewed regularly.
How To Apply
You can apply for Public Assistance at the Community Development Council (CDC) in your district. The CDC will assess if you qualify for the scheme.
Central-Singapore CDC
HDB Hub Bizthree
490, Lorong 6 Toa Payoh, #04-10
Tel: (65) 6370 9901
www.centralsingaporecdc.org.sg
North East CDC
300 Tampines Ave 5
#06-01 NTUC Income Tampines Junction
Singapore 529653
Tel: (65) 424 4000
www.northeastcdc.org.sg
North West CDC
900 South Woodlands Drive
#01-04, Woodlands Civic Centre
Tel: (65) 6767 2288
www.northwestcdc.org.sg
South East CDC
10 Eunos Road 8
#02-01, Singapore Post Centre
Tel: (65) 6243 8753
www.southeastcdc.org.sg
South West CDC
The JTC Summit
8 Jurong Town Hall Road, #26-06
Tel: (65) 6316 1616
www.southwestcdc.org.sg