Last Friday (May 28), the Ministry of Finance announced that lower- to middle-income workers as well as self-employed who are financially impacted by the latest Covid-19 restrictions may receive a one-time payout of up to S$700 under a new temporary grant.
Under the Covid-19 Recovery Grant (Temporary) (CRG-T), eligible workers placed on involuntary no-pay leave for at least a month from May 16 to June 30 may receive a one-off payout of up to $700.
Meanwhile, those who have suffered an income loss of at least 50 per cent for at least a month over the same period may receive a one-off payout of up to $500.
According to MOF, the grant is part of an S$800 million support package that is being rolled out to help individuals and businesses amid the Phase 2 Heightened Alert Period. It is being introduced as the livelihoods of some workers in the food and beverage, retail, and sports and fitness sectors have been affected.
CRG-T is also a supplement to the existing Covid-19 Recovery Grant (CRG), which was launched on January 18 to support lower- to middle-income workers and self-employed people affected by the pandemic.
The CRG, which was extended by three months in March, provides up to S$700 per month for three months for workers who have lost jobs or have been placed on involuntary no-pay leave due to Covid-19.
Who is eligible for CRG-T?
Applications for CRG-T will be open from June 3 to July 2.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) said in a statement today that the eligibility criteria for the CRG-T are similar to those of the CRG, with two key differences.
First, CRG-T applicants must have income loss of at least 50 per cent for one month or be placed on involuntary no-pay leave for at least a month between May 16 and June 30. This compares with an average income loss of at least 50 per cent or involuntary no-pay leave for at least three consecutive months for CRG applicants.
Second, CRG-T applicants do not have to show proof of job search or training, unlike CRG applicants.
MSF said individuals cannot receive both the CRG and CRG-T concurrently, as CRG-T is meant for those who are not receiving support in June 2021.
Likewise, individuals who are currently receiving support from other Covid-19 support schemes, such as the Covid-19 Driver Relief Fund, are not eligible for the CRG-T.
Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli said in a Facebook post that “after one’s CRG-T assistance ends, CRG-T recipients could still qualify for CRG support if they continue to require help and meet the eligibility criteria.”
Applications for CRG remain open until December 31.
More details are available here. The CRG-T application portal will open at 9am this Thursday and close at 11.59pm on July 2.
Featured Image Credit: NTUC Income
