Singapore · English · Tiong Bahru office

Guidance on social assistance programmes in Singapore

We help residents work through ComCare applications, HDB rental options, caregiving grants, and employment schemes — what documents to prepare, where to apply, and what to expect at each step.

Community workers speaking with residents about local support programmes at a neighbourhood session

Topics we cover most often

Residents visit our office or write in about these five areas. Each page explains programme basics, typical documents, and where applications are submitted.

Household bills and bank statements laid out for a ComCare application review

Financial aid

ComCare Short-to-Medium Term Assistance, ComCash, school bursaries, and MediFund referrals — including how SSOs calculate household income and which bank statements they require.

Financial aid page
HDB residential blocks in a Singapore neighbourhood

Housing support

HDB public rental applications, interim rental housing referrals, and help when rental arrears build up — including when to involve your SSO before enforcement letters arrive.

Housing support page
Adult daughter assisting an elderly parent with daily care at home

Caregiving programmes

Home Caregiving Grant tiers, elder day-care subsidies, SG Enable schemes, and respite care — how Functional Assessment Reports affect grant amounts and renewal dates.

Caregiving page
Job seeker reviewing employment options with a career advisor at a desk

Employment assistance

MyCareersFuture registration, WSG and e2i placement support, SkillsFuture claims, and mid-career training allowances — especially after retrenchment or a long break from work.

Employment page
Volunteers packing food supplies for distribution to residents in need

Community resources

Family Service Centres by postal sector, food assistance near your estate, National Care Hotline, and grassroots funds — mapped to where you live, not generic lists.

Community resources page

What happens at a guidance session

Sessions usually run 45–60 minutes at our Tiong Bahru office or by phone. We focus on your immediate problem first — overdue rent, a retrenchment letter, a parent's care costs — then list programmes that match your household profile.

  1. Household review NRIC status, dependants, housing type, income sources, and any open applications with SSO, HDB, or hospitals.
  2. Programme shortlist Which schemes apply, which exclude each other, and which agency handles each application.
  3. Document list Printed checklist of payslips, bank statements, tenancy agreements, and medical papers to gather before your agency appointment.
  4. Next appointment Where to go — SSO at your sector, HDB branch, SG Enable, or your nearest Family Service Centre — and what to say at intake.
About our office
Guidance advisor going through a printed ComCare checklist with a resident

Who comes to us

Most enquiries are from Singapore citizens and permanent residents. We also assist pass holders where a specific community programme allows it.

Adult attending a classroom-style employability workshop

Households with reduced income

After retrenchment, medical leave, or fewer shift hours, families often need ComCare while searching for work. We explain how SSOs treat CPF contributions, cash gifts from relatives, and part-time earnings in the same month.

Senior resident receiving support at a day-care activity session

Families supporting seniors

Questions about CareShield Life claims, day-care subsidies, and transport concessions usually arrive together. We outline the order to apply so subsidies are not delayed by missing assessments.

Support worker assisting a person with mobility needs in a home setting

Caregivers and persons with disabilities

Home Caregiving Grant applications, assistive device subsidies, and Open Door Programme job matching each use different forms. We separate the steps so nothing is submitted to the wrong agency.

Resident meeting a social service professional at an intake desk

First visit to an SSO or FSC

If you have never filed ComCare or walked into a Family Service Centre, we explain intake questions in plain English and what happens if documents are incomplete on the first visit.

Tiong Bahru guidance office

298 Tiong Bahru Road, #05-01 — near Tiong Bahru MRT exit and buses along Tiong Bahru Road. Consultation rooms are private for discussions about income, medical bills, or family disputes.

Walk-ins welcome Mon–Fri 09:00–18:00. Saturday slots by appointment. Initial sessions are free; we only charge for extended document preparation if you ask for multiple follow-up meetings.

Contact us
Reception and waiting area inside the guidance office with seating for visitors

Common questions

Do you submit ComCare or HDB forms for me?

No. Applications stay with SSOs, HDB, hospitals, and other administering bodies. We prepare you for those appointments and review your documents beforehand.

How long until assistance is approved?

ComCash and urgent cases can move within days if papers are complete. Rental flat queues and grant renewals take longer. We give realistic ranges based on your programme mix.

I still work part-time — can my household qualify?

Often yes. SSOs look at total household income and dependants, not just one payslip. Bring all income proof so the assessment reflects your actual situation.

Is what I share kept private?

Consultation notes stay in our office files for follow-up only. See our Privacy Policy for retention periods and your PDPA rights.