Funds in 48 hours for kids in distressed families
Social and Family Development Minister Tan Chuan Jin poses for a photo during his community visit on Sunday (March 26). Photo: Toa Payoh East-Novena Media Team
SINGAPORE — Children in families hit by distressing situations, such as a divorce or death of a breadwinner, can now receive short-term financial relief in 48 hours in the Toa Payoh East-Novena division, as part of an initiative to help families tide over dire straits.
The Quick Action Aid scheme, launched on Sunday (March 26), will help families who have yet to get financial aid from an agency or voluntary welfare organisation, and where parents cannot provide for their children’s daily needs, among other criteria.
So far, around 16 children are set to benefit. The scheme, which began about three months ago, has already helped four or five families, disbursing funds totalling between S$2,000 and S$3,000, said Toa Payoh East-Novena citizens’ consultative committee (CCC) vice-chairman Joseph Foo.
Previously, the division had helped distressed families on an ad hoc basis, but doling out such funds took up to two weeks, since it involved “a lot of signatures”, he said.
Now, funds are given out after a form is completed and the green light is given by the CCC chairman and area’s Member of Parliament.
Depending on the circumstances, a family could receive about S$150 a month in pocket money for their children, for instance.
The area’s MP, Mr Saktiandi Supaat, said the scheme offers two to six months of financial assistance before help from agencies kicks in, and helps families by linking those whose children have not started primary education with government departments like the Education Ministry and schools.
It also helps defray the costs of school books. He added: “There’s actually help, but (it’s) not coming ... fast enough, and (so) we’re trying to do our best to provide quick aid for children.”
Right now, the scheme, funded by sponsors, has more than S$50,000 contributed by five or so donors. Residents can seek help through various avenues, including Mr Saktiandi’s weekly Meet-the-People session or by approaching the Toa Payoh East Community Club.
The Quick Action Aid initiative also has a support network of volunteers, including those who have been in similar situations.
Volunteer Leicia Chua, 45, a single parent with three children, said: “They need somebody like me to really know what’s going on ... Sometimes you just tell them, ‘I understand, I understand’, but actually you don’t.”
Social and Family Development Minister Tan Chuan-Jin, who launched the initiative during his ministerial visit to the area, said it complemented existing government programmes, such as the Education Ministry’s Financial Assistance Scheme.
Noting that circumstances sometimes prevent families from supporting their children, he said: “(With) some of the funding and the support at a very local level, you can reinforce and support whatever the school’s doing on the home front.”
