MR IVAN Goh ("Base U-Save rebate on household size"; Aug 19) felt the GST Voucher - U-Save should be based on the number of persons living in a flat.
The GST Voucher scheme helps lower- and middle-income Singaporean households with their expenses.
A larger amount of GST Voucher - U-Save is given to those living in smaller HDB flats because these households are, on average, less well-off than those in larger HDB flats.
The GST Voucher - U-Save is given to a household rather than to individuals.
While it would be ideal to take into account the number of household members and how much they earn, it would be intrusive and administratively complex to do so for a scheme involving 800,000 HDB flats.
While flat type is not a perfect indication of a household's means, it is a reasonable proxy and enables the Government to disburse household benefits on a timely basis.
There are other benefits that, taken together, provide more help to those with larger households. For example, households with more elderly persons will receive more GST Voucher - Medisave. Those with more low-wage workers will receive more GST Voucher - Cash and Workfare. Children from lower-income families can benefit from financial assistance and bursaries.
We will continue to further review and refine how to target government assistance to ensure that the schemes and rebates reach the households that need more help.
Lim Bee Khim (Ms)
Director, Corporate Communications
Base U-Save rebate on household size
THE Government has been giving U-Save rebates to help Singaporeans offset the rising cost of living.
The size of the rebate is based on housing type. Those living in three-room flats get $240, while those in four-room flats get $220.
This means a family living in a four-room flat would get a smaller rebate than a single person living in a three-room flat. This goes against the Government's pro-family policy.
The rebate should be based on the number of people living in the flat.
Ivan Goh
ST Forum, 19 Aug 2013
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