Employer CPF contribution not considered in CHAS applications

MOH's Reply

The Straits Times, 27 Feb 2017

Employer CPF contribution not considered in CHAS applications

We thank Ms Betty Ho Peck Woon for her letter (“Why consider employer CPF contribution in CHAS application?”; ST, 15 Feb).

To qualify for the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS), applicants must have a household monthly income per person of $1,800 and below. For those without household income, the Annual Value of their home must be $21,000 and below.

The household monthly income per person is calculated by dividing the total gross household monthly income by the number of all family members living at the same NRIC-registered address. The gross income includes bonuses, overtime pay, allowances, cash awards and commissions. It does not include employers’ Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions.

We have contacted Ms Ho to apologise for the miscommunication over the CHAS hotline, clarify her case and assist with the CHAS application in view of her latest circumstances. We have also taken corrective action to ensure that the CHAS hotline team provide accurate information regarding the application criterion.

Applicants can use the Household Monthly Income Per Person Calculator found on www.chas.sg to assess if they might be eligible for CHAS.  Members of the public can also call 1800-275-2427 if they have any queries about CHAS.

Lim Bee Khim (Ms)
Director
Corporate Communications
Ministry of Health

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Forum Letter

The Straits Times, 15 Feb 2017

Why consider employer CPF contribution in Chas application? 

I applaud the Community Health Assist Scheme (Chas), which enables Singapore citizens from lower- to middle-income households, and all pioneers, to receive subsidies for medical and dental care at participating general practitioners and dental clinics near their homes, and also at specified community health centres.

However, I am baffled by the qualification criteria.

We submitted an application for the Chas card in 2015. But it was rejected because we did not meet the income criterion.

I called the Chas hotline and was informed that Household Monthly Income is based on total gross income, which includes bonuses and commissions.

At the end of last year, after doing a re-calculation of our household monthly income (this time, making sure that bonuses and commissions were added), we put in a new application to Chas. This was also rejected.

Perplexed, I called the Chas hotline again. This time, I was informed that total gross income also includes employers' Central Provident Fund contributions.

I fail to understand why employers' CPF contributions are included in the calculation of total gross income under Chas.

The employers' CPF contributions form part of CPF savings, which can be withdrawn only when members turn 55. This money does not help in paying daily household expenses.

I sincerely hope the Government will be flexible in granting approval under Chas, especially to those who meet the income criterion before the employers' CPF contributions are added.

Betty Ho Peck Woon (Ms)