SINGAPORE — The income eligibility criteria for The Courage Fund will be relaxed to support more lower-income households directly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr Desmond Lee said.

The Minister for Social and Family Development wrote in a Facebook post on Wednesday (May 27) that from June 1, households with a combined monthly income of S$6,200 or less or a monthly household income per person of S$2,000 will be able to apply for The Courage Fund. 

The previous caps were S$3,900 for combined monthly income and S$1,350 for monthly household income per person.  

These new income ceilings are expected to assist more households who have been affected as a result of the pandemic, be it from having a family member contracting Covid-19 or being placed on quarantine or stay-home notice, Mr Lee said. 

Households with per person income of more than S$1,350 will receive a relief of S$500, while those with per person income of S$650 or less will be granted S$1,000. Families with per person income of between S$651 and S$1,350 will get S$750.

Established in April 2003, The Courage Fund started as a fundraising effort to provide relief to victims and healthcare workers during the severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) outbreak. It was named in honour of the healthcare workers who had helped in Singapore’s effort to battle the Sars. 

To date, The Courage Fund has received more than S$13.6 million in donations for those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The fund will also be used to support households who require extra help to help them cope with their present circumstances, as assessed by the social service offices under the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MCCY), Mr Lee said. 

In response to queries from TODAY,  the ministry said that as of May 18, 474 lower-income households have received financial aid from the fund. 

There are a total of four schemes under the fund for: 

• dependents of individuals who have succumbed to Covid-19, whose families will receive between S$10,000 and S$30,000 in lump sum depending on whether they are healthcare workers, frontliner workers, community volunteers or others. 

• healthcare workers who have contracted Covid-19 in the line of duty, who will receive S$5,000

• frontline workers and community volunteers who have contracted Covid-19 in the line of duty, who will receive S$3,000

• lower-income families affected by Covid-19, who will receive between S$500 and S$1,000

Mr Lee thanked donors who have contributed generously to the fund. 

“It’s because of your giving that we are able to do more for those who are vulnerable and in need of help,” he said.