Fortitude Budget: Additional S$800 million set aside for COVID-19 Support Grant; S$100 one-off utilities credit

The Government will set aside S$800 million for the COVID-19 Support Grant, on top of its previous commitment, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat announced in Parliament on Tuesday (May 26).

The grant covers those who have lost their jobs, are placed on no-pay leave, or will see salaries significantly reduced in the coming months due to COVID-19, Mr Heng said.

Authorities said in March that under the scheme, eligible Singaporeans may receive S$800 a month for three months if they also commit to receiving employment and training support from the Workforce Singapore and Employment and Employability Institute.

“In the three weeks after the COVID-19 Support Grant started, we received about 48,000 applications. We are committed to providing help to those who have been badly affected,” Mr Heng said.

As part of the S$33 billion Fortitude Budget, Mr Heng, who is also Finance Minister, also announced a one-off S$100 utilities credit for each household with at least one Singapore citizen. This will cover all property types and will be credited in the July or August utilities bill, he said.

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