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Children get same benefits, whether mothers are married or not: MSF

SINGAPORE – Children get the same benefits whether or not their mothers are married, said Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing in Parliament yesterday (Nov 3). However, benefits that are intended to support marriages and births within the context of families are only given to married mothers, he added.

A teacher and kids at play at PCF Sparkletots at Punggol West. Photo: Ooi Boon Keong

A teacher and kids at play at PCF Sparkletots at Punggol West. Photo: Ooi Boon Keong

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SINGAPORE – Children get the same benefits whether or not their mothers are married, said Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing in Parliament yesterday (Nov 3). However, benefits that are intended to support marriages and births within the context of families are only given to married mothers, he added.

He stated this in response to a question by Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Lina Chiam, who asked if the benefits given by the Government for unwed mothers are the same as those for married mothers, and if the Government has further plans to help unwed mothers.

Mr Chan reiterated that the Government provides support and benefits for the care and development of all Singaporean children, listing benefits related to child care, child development, education and healthcare as examples.

The benefits extended to all Singaporean children whether or not their mothers are married are:

Child care leave and upaid infant care leave

Foreign domestic worker levy concession

Centre-based infant and child care subsidies

Kindergarten Financial Assistance Scheme (KiFAS)

Education subsidies

Student care subsidies

Child Development Credits, Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA) top-ups

Edusave Pupils Fund; Edusave Scholarship and Awards

Maternity leave of 8 weeks

Medisave grant for newborns

MediShield coverage for congenital and neonatal conditions

Government healthcare subsidies and Medifund

The benefits for married mothers are:

Baby Bonus Cash Gift and Child Development Account

Maternity leave of 16 weeks

Parenthood tax rebate, qualifying child relief, handicapped child relief, working mother’s child relief, and grandparent caregiver relief

Housing grant for families

Housing priority schemes

These policies are all subject to regular review to ensure currency and relevance, added Mr Chan. CHANNEL NEWSASIA

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