$1,444 Payment Approved for Single Mothers in Singapore – But Limited Time Only: The cost of raising a family has considerably increased over the years, and parents have to work harder to provide for their children in today`s Singapore. As hard as it is for a couple to raise a child in today`s society, the burden is doubled for a single parent. With the pressure to work to provide sufficiently for their children, a single parent also faces challenges in child care and ensuring that their children are well looked after. Single mothers are also allowed to make use of their Medisave for most medical expenses incurred by mother and child, as well as the Access to apply for Medifund.
$1,444 Payment Approved for Single Mothers in Singapore
The Average cost of raising a child in Singapore is estimated to be S$1500 per month. Given that a married Couple`s average monthly household income goes towards providing for a child. With the introduction of Working Mother`s Child Relief and HDB subsidies, parenthood has indeed become less financially taxing for parents.
However, the Same can`t be said for single parents, where they might not be fully supported by such policies and or subsidies, to make it easier for single parents in Singapore.
Delivering a baby in Singapore is an expensive affair, with the average total cost of prenatal care and the delivery itself at S$1577. Single mothers can save on these pregnancy costs through the Medisave Maternity Package, which allows you to use your Medisave savings, delivery expenses account, to help pay for the child1s healthcare expenses.
The government of Singapore puts S$3,000 into the account upon the birth of your child. As a co-savings account, the government matches every S$1 you put into the account. This happens until your child is 12 years old, and there is a limit set based on your child’s birth order. With current savings accounts are offering interest rates above 1% in this economic climate, this co-savings scheme is a better way to multiply savings for your child in Singapore.
For working mothers who place their children in a half-day or flexi-day program, the subsidy will be prorated accordingly.
Kindergarten Financial Assistance Scheme (KiFAS)
KiFAS is a government initiative that aims to ensure that kindergarten education is kept affordable and accessible to children from all families. As long as your monthly household income is $3500 and below you can apply for kiFAS. It has different levels of subsidies up to $108 per month is provided yo families who need it.
Single mothers earnings $1500 and below could be paying as little as $2 a month for their child`s education. Naturally, their child has to be enrolled in one of the 240 kindergartens approved for kiFas.
Paid Maternity Leave For 8 Weeks
This is specially catered for unwed mothers who gave birth without the biological fathers involvement. Even though unwed mothers are not entitled for paid maternity leave of 16 weeks that married mothers enjoy, they are still entitled to a PAID maternity leave of 8 weeks that a married mothers enjoy, they are paid maternity leave of 8 weeks to recover from child birth before work.
Medisave Grant For Newborns
All Singaporeans born on or after1 January 2015 or having an estimated delivery date on or after1 January 2015 or having an estimated delivery date on or after 1 January 2015 will get $4000 from the government. This is known as the Medisave grant for Newborn and is available to all children born on or after 1 January 2015.
Government Healthcare Subsidies and Medifund
Single Mother are also allowed to make use of their Medisave for most medical expenses incurred by mother and child as well as the Access to apply for Medifund. Medifund is a fund that was set up by the Government to help Singaporeans who cannot afford their medical cost. It acts as a safety net for Singaporeans who needs medical care but are unable to afford it even after all the government subsidies have been accounted for. Single parents can apply for this subsidies.
Conclusion
In this article we discussed $1,444 Payment Approved for Single Mothers in Singapore – But Limited Time Only: The cost of raising a family has considerably increased over the years, and parents have to work harder to provide for their children in today`s Singapore. Single mothers earnings $1500 and below could be paying as little as $2 a month for their child`s education.