COVID-19 Support Grant: More Help For Affected Singaporeans (Updated with New Eligibility Criteria)
Kenneth Fongā
It’s no secret.
COVID-19 sucks.
It’s no thanks to this pandemic that people have lost their jobs, been placed on involuntary No-Pay Leave or have had to take a pay cut because of reduced working hours…
If you’ve recently become unemployed or had to take a pay cut due to COVID-19, here’s a bit of good news.
Starting 4 May 2020, you can apply for the COVID-19 Support Grant.
Which should hopefully help you tide over this period while you get back on your feet.
TL;DR: How to Apply For COVID-19 Support Grant?
The COVID-19 Support Grant (CSG) is to help Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents who have lost their jobs or have had their income affected by COVID-19.
| If You Are | COVID-19 Support Grant Amount | You'll Also Get | Application Starts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployed due to retrenchment or contract termination | Up to $800 monthly for 3 months | Employment and training support from Workforce Singapore (WSG) or Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) | 4 May 2020 |
| Placed on involuntary No Pay Leave (NPL) for at least 3 consecutive months | Access to relevant courses subsidised by SkillsFuture Singapore | ||
| Experiencing a pay cut of at least 30% for at least 3 consecutive months | Up to $500 monthly for 3 months | - | 11 May 2020 |
The initial application window was from 4 May to 30 September 2020.
But it has since been extended to 31 December 2020.
Existing and previous CSG recipients may re-apply from 1 October 2020.
Once you’ve submitted your supporting documents, it’ll take about 2 to 3 weeks to process your application.
What Is the COVID-19 Support Grant (CSG)?
As announced in the Resilience Budget, the COVID-19 Support Grant (CSG) is meant to help Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents who have lost their jobs or have had their monthly salaries affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you qualify for it, it’s basically a monthly cash grant of up to $800 for 3 months.
It’s not a lot…
But it should help you make things a little easier.
[Update] Extension of COVID-19 Support Grant
Apart from the 4 previously-announced budgets, the Singapore Government intends to provide continued support for workers and jobs.
Part of that effort includes the extension of the COVID-19 Support Grant until December 2020.
How to Qualify For COVID-19 Support Grant (CSG)?
Do note that there is an update in eligibility criteria for COVID-19 Support Grant from 1 October 2020. We have updated this article to reflect the NEW ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.
The eligibility criteria for the COVID-19 Support Grant are as follows:
| COVID-19 Support Grant Eligibility Criteria | |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Singapore Citizen OR Permanent Resident |
| Age | 16 years and above |
| Employment Status | Full-time or Part-time employees affected by economic impact of COVID-19 after 23 Jan 2020 who are - Unemployed due to retrenchment or contract termination - On involuntary No Pay Leave PL for at least 3 consecutive months (eg. Mar to May 2020) - Experiencing reduced monthly salary of at least 30% for at least 3 consecutive months (eg. Mar to May 2020) |
| Income | Prior gross monthly household income ā¤$10,000 OR Prior gross monthly per capita income ā¤$3,100 |
| Property Ownership | Does not own more than one property |
| Live in a Property With An Annual Value | ā¤$21,000 |
| Additional Criteria | Shows job search/ training efforts if you are unemployed |
| Not on | ComCare Assistance OR Self-Employed Persons Income Relief Scheme (SIRS) |
| Not an | Full-time National Servicemen (NSF) OR Intern |
And because this is part of the government’s initiative to support you while you get back on your feet.
You’ll have to agree to actively participate in a job search.
Or attend a training programme under Workforce Singapore (WSG) or the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i).
Because let’s face it, the 3-month payout is not going to last you indefinitely.
So… Is This Applicable for Self-Employed Persons?
As stated in the eligibility criteria, you should NOT already be on ComCare Assistance or on the Self-Employed Persons Income Relief Scheme (SIRS).
That means that freelancers, taxi or private hire drivers, insurance agents, as well as delivery drivers and riders, cannot qualify for the COVID-19 Support Grant.
If you belong to this group of individuals and you require financial assistance, we hoped you applied for the SIRS. Ministries are still in the midst of deciding if there will be an extension for income relief for self-employed persons.
How Much Assistance Can I Get?
If you have experienced a job loss (after 23 January 2020) or are on involuntary NPL for at least 3 consecutive months.
You will receive a monthly cash grant of up to $800 for 3 months.
The actual grant amount dispensed will be based on your last-drawn monthly salary.
If you still have your job but have to take a pay cut of at least 30 per cent for at least 3 consecutive months.
You will receive a monthly cash grant of up to $500 for 3 months.
Note: the grant will be credited directly to your bank account
How to Apply For COVID-19 Support Grant (CSG)?
You can apply for the COVID-19 Support Grant online.
However, there are 2 different dates of application to take note of.
If you have lost your job or are on involuntary NPL, you can apply online from 4 May 2020 onwards.
And if you have experienced a pay cut, you can apply online from 11 May 2020 onwards.
Just head over to the MSF website, fill up the screening questionnaire, and you can begin the application process.
Oh, and you’ll need to prepare a couple of supporting documents too.
What Are The Supporting Documents Required?
Instead of scrambling for what you need when you’re in the middle of the application, you might as well as get these prepared in advance:
- Your NRIC
- A scanned copy of the first page of your bank book (or bank statement or bank slip), which indicates your bank account name and number
- Relevant documents indicating your loss of job, involuntary No-Pay Leave (NPL) or reduction of salary, like:
- Retrenchment Letter
- Letter of Contract Termination
- Letter from employer indicating your loss of at least 30 per cent salary for at least 3 consecutive months
- Your payslip or CPF contribution statement(s) showing your last drawn monthly salary before you lost your job, are placed on involuntary NPL or lost at least 30 per cent of your salary
- Your payslip or CPF contribution statement(s) showing your last drawn monthly salary after you lost your job, are placed on involuntary NPL or lost at least 30 per cent of your salary
What If I Have Already Applied For the Temporary Relief Fund?
You may be eligible for the COVID-19 Support Grant too.
If you have applied for the Temporary Relief Fund and indicated that you’re also interested in applying for the COVID-19 Support Grant.
You do not need to re-apply if you have submitted all the necessary supporting documents.
How Will I Know If I Am Successful?
Once you applied for the COVID-19 Support Grant, you will be notified of the outcome in about 2 to 3 weeks.
Need Help With Your Online Application?
If you need help with your online application, you can call the ComCare hotline at 1800 222 0000.
Or email [email protected] for assistance.
And if you’re unable to apply online, you can approach your nearest Social Service Office (SSO) to schedule an application slot instead.
