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.
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