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Lower-income families in Jalan Kayu to get more help

SINGAPORE — To alleviate the financial burden on lower-income families in Jalan Kayu district, there will be a one-time top-up of up to S$800 to their Child Development Account (CDA) so that it can be used to defray their children’s educational and health expenses.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during Jalan Kayu Day yesterday. A one-time top-up will help some 250 families earning a per capita income of S$950 or less. Photo: Jason Quah

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during Jalan Kayu Day yesterday. A one-time top-up will help some 250 families earning a per capita income of S$950 or less. Photo: Jason Quah

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SINGAPORE — To alleviate the financial burden on lower-income families in Jalan Kayu district, there will be a one-time top-up of up to S$800 to their Child Development Account (CDA) so that it can be used to defray their children’s educational and health expenses.

Announcing this yesterday, Member of Parliament (Ang Mo Kio GRC) Intan Azura Mokhtar said the Jalan Kayu grassroots organisations have raised S$100,000 in donations to support the top-up.

With the Government matching the amount within two weeks, a total of S$200,000 will be disbursed to some 250 families earning a per capita income of S$950 or less and who have at least one child in pre-school.

The money can be used to pay for educational and healthcare expenses at Baby Bonus-approved institutions such as childcare centres, kindergartens, special education schools, providers of assistive technology devices, hospitals, clinics and pharmacies.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a carnival at Hwi Yoh Community Centre, Dr Intan said the move was in line with the Government’s push to strengthen preschool education.

It is also to supplement the top-ups the Government has pledged in previous Budget announcements.

Although it is a one-off scheme and the money can support only a small pool of families, Dr Intan hopes more money could be raised in the near future to support more households and make the top-up an annual scheme.

“We hope that this simple gesture of topping up ... will help alleviate some of the financial costs and challenges these families may face,” she said.

“It can go some way towards looking at the educational expenses for their children, even getting, for example, prescription glasses for their children and buying supplements or milk powder.”

There are about 13,500 households in Jalan Kayu.

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