Committee of Supply 2026 debate, Day 5: Victor Lye on means testing and ‘filial care paradox’
When children bring ageing parents into their homes, the parents often lose social support benefits because under means testing, they are now considered part of a higher-income household or living in housing with a higher annual value. Speaking in parliament on Wednesday (Mar 4), MP Victor Lye called this the “filial care paradox” as people are penalised for doing the right thing. He suggested a “caregiver housing carve-out” where seniors moving into an adult child’s home for caregiving are independently assessed, or a functional needs assessment where social assistance is evaluated based on actual needs.
When children bring ageing parents into their homes, the parents often lose social support benefits because under means testing, they are now considered part of a higher-income household or living in housing with a higher annual value. Speaking in parliament on Wednesday (Mar 4), MP Victor Lye called this the “filial care paradox” as people are penalised for doing the right thing. He suggested a “caregiver housing carve-out” where seniors moving into an adult child’s home for caregiving are independently assessed, or a functional needs assessment where social assistance is evaluated based on actual needs.
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