In a Facebook post, Singapore People’s Party member Jose Raymond questions the extent of help given to a visually handicapped 59-year old resident living in Toa Payoh.
The man has kidney failure and had been declared medically unfit to work. He also has two other blind men living in the same house as him, whom he looks after.
Mr Raymond’s initial Facebook post on June 13 had him outlining the situation of the man, as well as raising the question as to why the resident’s a $620 monthly pay-out – which is higher than the rate of financial assistance at $500 – from his own CPF Account was reason enough for him to be denied long term financial assistance.
Visually handicapped man refused financial assistance because of his own monthly CPF pay-out
The MSF replied.
In their Facebook post on June 16, they outlined the forms of aid that the man was receiving. These included, “TOUCH Home Care provides him 2 daily meals, under MOH’s programme, which are delivered to his home every day. The Singapore Association for the Visually Handicapped (SAVH) provides Mr T with monthly food rations. Mr T receives monthly pay-outs of $620 a month from his CPF Retirement Account, which is sufficient for around 3 years. He receives an additional $550 a month from a close friend who lives overseas”.
They concluded, “Based on his daily expenses, monies received, and the community support provided, the SSO assessed that Mr T did not currently require ComCare LTA”.
Earlier today, Mr Raymond responded to the MSF. In another Facebook post, he listed out the facts of the resident’s case, and urged members of the public to decide for themselves if the MSF could be doing better.
He also brought up the following questions:
1. Why is one’s CPF Retirement Account being considered income? What is the policy rationale behind this especially when dealing with cases like the one above?
2. Why is this resident allowed to dip into his CPF Retirement Account before he is of retirement age? Shouldn’t he be accorded long-term social assistance first and then have him dip into his Retirement Account later?
3. How much does someone need to live in dignity in Singapore, and especially so if he isn’t able bodied.
4. Is the Government’s policy and decision-making in such matters morally and ethically acceptable?
His response today came after much flak from netizens.
Jose Raymond’s post:
obbana@theindependent.sg