ComCare enhancements will offer flexibility for those with unstable incomes: Social service agencies

Social service agencies say lower-income households relying on gig or irregular work are among those hardest hit by rising costs. Their unstable hours and earnings leave them with little financial buffer and some families end up cutting back on essentials. Temporary increases in ComCare payouts will offer some relief — Interim Assistance has been raised to at least S$250 a month, for up to three months. The usual S$800 per-capita income criterion will also be applied more flexibly. One agency estimates around 20% more families it serves can benefit from a greater flexibility in income assessments. Chloe Teo reports.