COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund (CDRF): Extended Help for Taxi Drivers and Private Hire Car Drivers
Kenneth Fongā
During the months when COVID-19 hit us the hardest.
We noticed a lot of Seedly community members, especially taxi drivers and private hire car drivers, really struggling to make ends meet.
While there are several support schemes and funds set up to help this sector, such as the Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme (SIRS) and the Extended Special Relief Fund (SRF).
The SIRS has ceased on 31 December 2020 and TBH it doesn’t look like the sector will recover anytime soon.
I mean, most of us are still working from home.
So it’s not like we are taking taxis or Grab rides to rush to meetings or gatherings.
And the lack of tourists means that taxi and private hire car ridership remains 25 per cent lower than pre-COVID levels.
Luckily, the Government has set aside an additional $133 million to create a dedicated COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund (CDRF) to provide support for this particular sector.
In light of Phase 2 (Heightened Alert), it was announced that the Government would be extending help by topping up an additional $10 per vehicle per day.
This would be under the CDRF top-up (CDRF+) and will be for the period of 16 May to 29 June 2021.
With the gradual reopening of the economy, it was announced on 10 June that the CDRF (extension is known as CDRF2) will be extended for three more months.
And on 23 July, another extension of support was granted to help drivers due to the return of Phase 2 (Heightened Alert).
This brings the total sum committed to $482 million since February 2020.
So… who’s eligible for this?
And how much payout can you get?
Here’s all you need to know about the CDRF, CDRF+ and CDRF2!
TL;DR: When and How Much COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund Payout Will I Get?
When Will I Receive the CDRF Payouts?
Taxi drivers: 1 January to 29 June 2021
Private hire car drivers: 18 January to 16 July 2021
CDRF+: End-May 2021
CDRF2: July to September 2021
How Much Will I Get in CDRF Payouts?
| CDRF Payout Period | CDRF Payout Per Month | CDRF Payout Per Day |
|---|---|---|
| January to March 2021 | $600 (total: $1,800) | $20 |
| April to June 2021 | $450 (total: $1,350) | $15 |
| CDRF+: By End-May (from 16 May to end-June 2021) | $300 | $10 |
| CDRF2: July to September 2021 | $300 (first two months) $150 (third month) | $10 (Jul to Aug) $5 (Sep) |
| Additional Support (NEW) $400 (22 Jul to 31 Aug) $150 (Sep) | $10 (22 Jul to 31 Aug) $5 (Sep) |
Since government schemes and grants usually change from time to time, BOOKMARK this article to make sure that you can refer to this anytime as we’ll constantly update it with the latest!
How Much Will I Get From the COVID-19 Drivers Relief Fund (CDRF)?
Eligible taxi drivers and private hire car drivers will receive a total payout of $3,150 for each vehicle.
This payout is spread out over a six months period, from January to June 2021.
Here’s the exact timeline for when the CDRF support will be made available
- Taxi drivers: 1 January to 29 June 2021
- Private hire car drivers: 18 January to 16 July 2021
Private-hire car and taxi drivers will receive additional support for three more months from July as well.
And here’s how much you’ll be getting every month:
| CDRF Payout Period | CDRF Payout Per Month | CDRF Payout Per Day |
|---|---|---|
| January to March 2021 | $600 (total: $1,800) | $20 |
| April to June 2021 | $450 (total: $1,350) | $15 |
| CDRF+: By End-May (from 16 May to end-June 2021) | $300 | $10 |
| CDRF2: July to September 2021 | $300 (first two months) $150 (third month) | $10 (Jul to Aug) $5 (Sep) |
| Additional Support (NEW) $400 (22 Jul to 31 Aug) $150 (Sep) | $10 (22 Jul to 31 Aug) $5 (Sep) |
FYI: you will receive your CDRF payout through rental rebates from taxi operators and private hire car operators instead of cash payouts.
Am I Eligible To Receive COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund (CDRF) Payouts?
If you’re already eligible for the SRF, you willĀ automatically beĀ transitioned to the CDRF from January 2021.
LTA will also automatically include new private hire car drivers who joined the sector in 2020.
More importantly, only main taxi drivers (aka main taxi hirers) and full-time private hire car drivers are eligible for the CDRF.
Which means that relief taxi drivers are NOT eligible.
But main taxi hirers are encouraged to share the relief sum with them.
So, share lah…
For private hire car drivers who are sharing vehicles with other eligible private hire car drivers, the payment will be apportioned equally.
Drivers who are eligible for the CDRF will automatically be eligible for the top-up (CDRF+) and the three-month extension from July onwards (CDRF2).
How Will I Know if I Qualify for COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund (CDRF)?
For Taxi Drivers
All main taxi hirers are eligible to receive CDRF through your taxi company.
For Private Hire Car Drivers
All existing private hire car drivers who qualify for SRF will automatically qualify for CDRF.
You will receive your CDRF payouts if you completeĀ at least one trip in the preceding month of the CDRF disbursement period with your nominated operator.
For private hire car drivers, the operators who will facilitate this are:
- Grab
- Go-Jek
- Ryde
- TADA
What If I Do Not Qualify For COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund (CDRF)?
Taxi drivers and private hire car drivers who do not qualify for CDRF can approach the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) to apply for the COVID-19 Recovery Grant instead.
FYI: applications are open from 18 January till 31 December 2021
