MSF Announces Second Round of Support for Eligible Workers Under COVID-19 Recovery Grant; Applications Open 19 Apr

More than a year has passed since the coronavirus landed on our shores, but it’s still having a huge impact on our workers.

Thanks to the pandemic, many residents here have lost their jobs or have had to take pay cuts.

And some workers are still struggling to find employment.

Cognizant of the difficulties retrenched residents are facing, the government is once again stepping in to help.

MSF Announces Second Round of Support for Eligible Workers Under COVID-19 Recovery Grant; Applications Open 19 Apr

Good news for those who’ve had their incomes affected by the COVID-19 pandemic: you can now apply for a second round of support under the COVID-19 Recovery Grant scheme.

From 19 April 2021, those who meet the criteria at the time of application will be able to apply for a second payout.

For those who don’t know, the COVID-19 Support Grant was launched on 18 January and aims to provide financial support for workers who’ve been significantly affected by job or income losses.

As of 22 March, around S$10 million has been disbursed to more than 10,000 individuals who applied for the grant.

Do note that this grant is separate from the COVID-19 Support Grant and the Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme, which are no longer accepting applications.

So, how will the money be disbursed?

$700 For Those Who’ve Been Retrenched, $500 For Those With Significant Income Losses

Workers who have been retrenched, terminated, or placed on involuntary no-pay leave for at least three consecutive months will receive up to S$700 for three months.

As for workers whose incomes have been cut by at least 50% for at least three consecutive months, up to S$500 will be provided monthly for three months.

Similarly, self-employed individuals who lost an average of 50% in income for at least three consecutive months, compared with their average monthly income in 2019 or 2020, will receive up to S$500 for three months.

Eligibility

So, who’s eligible for the scheme?

• Applicants’ whose job or income losses occurred after 23 January 2020
• Applicants who had a gross monthly household income of S$7,800 or less, or a monthly per capita income of S$2,600 or less, before being affected by the crisis
• Applicants who are economically active and have worked for at least six months cumulatively between January 2019 and December 2020 before being affected by the pandemic
• Applicants who have had their incomes cut by at least 50%
• Applicants who do not own more than one property and live in one with an annual value of less than S$21,000
• Applicants who have been have been looking for jobs or applying for skills training programmes through government portals, attending job interviews, or taking part in career coaching at government-linked career centres
• Applicants who are not also receiving support through ComCare assistance programmes, the Seafarers Relief Package, the COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund, or SGUnited programmes

From now until 18 April, you can apply for the grant here from 9:00am to 10:00pm every day.

Then, from 19 April till the end of the year, the online application portal will be operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Those applying for a second round of support must submit a new application.

Feature Image: joyfull / Shutterstock.com