Combi Bus, Limousine & Delivery Drivers Can Receive up to $300 in Cash Under NTUC Scheme: Here's All You Need to Know!
Joel Kohâ—Ź
Unless you are fabulously wealthy, you would have felt the pinch from this year’s developments.
Inflation is up, fuel prices are up, and chicken has become more expensive due to Malaysia’s chicken export ban.
All these developments contribute to the rising cost of living in Singapore.
And unfortunately, when this happens, those who are not earning as much are the most hard-hit as they have to spend a bigger percentage of their salary on essentials.
Thankfully, a little help is on the way as the National Trade Unions Congres (NTUC) recently announced the NTUC Freelancers and Self-Employed Unit (U FSE) Relief Scheme 2022.
Under this scheme, freelance combi bus and limousine driver members of the National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA) and delivery drivers and motorcycle riders members of the National Delivery Champions Association (NDCA)Â can apply for a one-off cash relief of up to $300!
Here’s all you need to know!
TL;DR: Up to $300 Cash for Freelance Combi Bus and Limousine Drivers + Delivery Drivers/Riders Under NTUC Scheme
| Category | Existing NPHVA/NDCA Members (>3 months’ membership at point of submission of application) | New NPHVA/NDCA Members (<3 months’ membership at point of submission of application) |
|---|---|---|
| Combi bus (Max 13-seater) or Limousine Drivers (NPHVA member) | $300 | $250 |
| Delivery Drivers Not Using Motorcycles (NDCA Member) | $300 | $250 |
| Delivery Riders Using Motorcycles (NDCA Member) | $150 | $100 |
Why is This Needed: Soaring Fuel Prices in 2022
Due to a myriad of factors like the Russia-Ukraine War, fuel prices in Singapore and around the world have been soaring.
From 5 January to 20 June 2022, one litre of 95-Octane petrol* from SPC increased by ~10%, from $2.58 to $2.84 per litre before discounts.
Whereas the price of one litre of diesel from SPC* went up an eye-watering ~31.50%, from $2.13 to $2.80 per litre before discounts.
*Note that this petrol grade was chosen as it is the only grade that all petrol retailers sell. SPC also offers the cheapest petrol and diesel before discount.
Undoubtedly, the self-employed drivers with vehicles that need petrol have seen their livelihoods affected. This is due to the fact that fuel price increases will increase their operating costs and decrease the amount of profit they earn.
Granted, there has been some support.
In a statement to CNA, Mr Chee Hong Tat, Senior Minister of State for Finance and Transport, said that:
He noted that taxi and private hire car operators have introduced temporary fare adjustments to supplement the incomes of drivers in the point-to-point sector.
Many operators offered further support, such as rental rebates and discounted fuel.
But as always, more support is always welcome.
NTUC U FSE Relief Scheme 2022: Up to $300 Cash Relief for Freelance Combi Bus and Limousine Drivers + Delivery Drivers/Riders
As mentioned above, eligible freelance drivers and riders can receive up to $300 in cash (terms and conditions apply) under the NTUC U FSE Relief Scheme (2022):
| Category | Existing NPHVA/NDCA Members (>3 months’ membership at point of submission of application) | New NPHVA/NDCA Members (<3 months’ membership at point of submission of application) |
|---|---|---|
| Combi bus (Max 13-seater) or Limousine Drivers (NPHVA member) | $300 | $250 |
| Delivery Drivers Not Using Motorcycles (NDCA Member) | $300 | $250 |
| Delivery Riders Using Motorcycles (NDCA Member) | $150 | $100 |
Source: NTUC
This group of drivers can receive their payouts by applying under the NTUC Freelancers and Self-Employed Unit (U FSE) Relief Scheme from 29 August 2022 to 28 October 2022.
Do note that the recipients of the one-off $150 cash relief for Taxi Drivers and Private-hire car drivers are NOT eligible for this scheme.
With that in mind, here are the qualifying criteria for this scheme.
NTUC U FSE Relief Scheme 2022 Eligibility
For context, the NTUC U FSE Relief Scheme for freelance Combi Bus, Limousine and Delivery Drivers and Riders was originally set up to help the group of drivers and riders who did not qualify for the COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund (CDRF) and required additional assistance.
The scheme is only available for those who are:
| Combi bus (Max 13-seater) or Limousine Drivers | Delivery Drivers Not Using Motorcycles (NDCA Member) | Delivery Riders Using Motorcycles (NDCA Member) |
|---|---|---|
| You are a paid-up member of NPHVA and hold a valid vocational license. | You are a paid-up member of NDCA and drive or ride a vehicle or motorcycle to make freelance deliveries. | |
| You are in this trade for at least one month prior to point of submission​ of application. | ||
| Not a recipient of the one-off relief of $150 for eligible taxi main hirers and private hire car drivers provided by the Government | ||
Source: NTUC
To join the NPHVA or NDCA and qualify for the scheme, you will need to sign up for an NTUC Union Membership, which has an annual fee of $117 ($9 per month from January to November and $18 for December). You must also not have any outstanding membership arrears,
Also, to be a Union member, you need to be 16 years old and above with a valid NRIC/FIN number. Note that personnel from the Singapore Police Force, Singapore Prison Service, Civil Defence Force, Narcotics Service, Singapore Armed Forces, or Auxiliary Police bodies (Certis Cisco, Aetos and SATS) and foreign domestic workers are not eligible for the membership.
NPHVA and NDCA members may also receive:
- Up to $40,000* insurance coverage by NTUC Gift
- Up to $500 Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP) training benefits
- Up to $240 worth of rebates in addition to LinkPoints
- Up to 15% off NTUC member’s meals at NTUC Foodfare
- 20% off StarHub monthly mobile subscription.
NTUC U FSE Relief Scheme 2022 Supporting Documents
You will also need to prepare these supporting documents before you apply:
| Combi Bus (Max 13-seater) or Limousine Drivers | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Proof of self-employed income: CPF Contribution History for the past 6 months 2. Proof of vehicle type: Hire-purchase agreement (to include ACRA record showing that the purchase is made by the business registered in your name) or Vehicle rental agreement |
||||||||
| Delivery Drivers Not Using Motorcycles (E.g. car or van) | ||||||||
| 1. Proof of active freelance delivery work using weekly income statements/invoices/receipts from platform or platforms showing: Gross earnings of at least $1,500 within 2 consecutive weeks from 1 July to date of submission ​​ 2. Proof of vehicle type: Screenshot of platform app or apps showing your name and mode of transport; or ​ Rental contract (current at point of submission) or ​ Hire-purchase agreement (to include ACRA record showing the purchase is made by the business registered in your name) |
||||||||
| 1. Proof of active freelance delivery work using weekly income statements/invoices/receipts showing: ​Gross earnings of at least $1,000 within 2 consecutive weeks from 01 July to date of submission​​ 2. Proof of vehicle type: Screenshot of platform app or apps showing your name and mode of transport or Rental contract (current at point of submission); or Hire-purchase agreement (to include ACRA record showing the purchase is made by the business registered in your name) |
Source: NTUC
How to Apply for The NTUC U FSE Relief Scheme
There are two ways you can apply for the NTUC U FSE Relief Scheme.
Online Application
You can apply for the NTUC FSE Relief Scheme online from 29 August 2022, 10am to 28 October 2022.
Do prepare the soft copies of the necessary documents and standby your SingPass log-in details beforehand.
Offline Application
Alternatively, you can opt to apply physically at NTUC’s roving helpdesks that will be set up for these schemes:
You will simply need to:
- Get your SingPass and supporting documents ready (either hardcopies or softcopies)
- Check the schedule and location of the roving helpdesk when it gets released on the website
- Visit the Roving Helpdesk of your choice and bring along your supporting documents as well as your SingPass log-in details.​
NTUC U FSE Relief Payout Details
​Eligible applicants can opt for:
- Cash Disbursement via GIRO
- Payment will be made to the successful applicant 2 weeks after the SMS notification on the application approval.
- The applicant is to provide his/ her bank details at the point of application.
- Cheque Payment
- The cheque will be ready for collection around 4 weeks after the SMS notification of the application approval.
- Cheque collection details will be sent to the provided email address of the successful applicant. The cheque must be collected in person by the applicant at NTUC Centre, One Marina Boulevard.
Applicants will be informed of the outcome of his/her application via SMS to the provided mobile number in about 6 to 8 weeks upon submission of all required supporting documents.
