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The Government recently introduced a 4 week “circuit breaker” with tightened measures for Singaporeans as the COVID-19 pandemic has exploded worldwide and in Singapore alone, the number of cases have spiked from 100 to over 1000 in a month.
Following the announcement of the “circuit breaker”, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat stepped forward a third time on Monday, 6th April 2020 to present another Solidarity Budget with enhanced schemes to safeguard the livelihoods of our workers and families during these 4 weeks.
The third portion of Government initiatives comes in just 11 days after the Resilience Budget was presented in March and amounts to another S$5.1 billion of which S$4 billion will be drawn from past reserves. Entirely, the Unity, Resilience and Solidarity Budget invested into helping the nation, adds up to almost S$60 billion.
Updated in line with extended circuit breaker measures announced on 21st April. Here’s what many businesses, workers and families can expect to immediately receive from the enhanced schemes^ during the months of April and May 2020:
^The enhanced schemes in April will continue in May 2020 (updated as of 21st April 2020).
1. Supporting Workers, Protecting Livelihoods
Enhanced Jobs Support Scheme (JSS)
- The Government will now pay 75% of the monthly salary (capped at S$4,600) for every local worker in all sectors for the months of April and May 2020.
- First JSS payout will be brought forward to April 2020 instead of May 2020.
^Resilience Budget Wage Support:
75% for aviation and tourism sectors
50% for food service sectors
25% for all other sectors
Helping Self-Employed Persons (SEPs)
- More SEPs will now qualify for the SEP Income Relief Scheme including SEPS who earn a small income from employment work.
- The criteria for Annual Value of Property has been increased from $13,000 to $21,000.
- Eligible SEPs will also receive 3 quarterly cash payouts of $3000 each in the months of May, July and October 2020.
Related Read: Resilience Budget 2020 aims to help Singapore Curb Covid-19 »
2. Cash Flow & Credit Support for Employers
- Monthly Foreign Worker Levy (FWL) due in April and May 2020 will be waived.
Employers will receive a $750 FWL rebate for each S Pass and Work Permit holder from levies paid this year in April and May 2020. - Enhancement of laws to ensure tenants receive property tax rebates from property owners.
- Office, commercial and agricultural tenants of Government agencies will receive a 1-month (up from 0.5 months) rental waiver.
- The Government has raised their risk share to 90% (up from 80%) for Enterprise Financing Scheme-Trade Loan, SME Working Capital Loan and Temporary Bridging Loan Programme. This applies to loans initiated with effect from 8 April 2020 to 31 March 2021.
3. Providing Timely Help for All Singaporeans
All Singaporeans aged 21 and above in 2020 will receive a total of $600 cash payout in April 2020. Additional $300 is given plus $300 from the Care & Support Package* will be brought forward from August to April.
* Remaining amounts in Care & Support Package will be issued in June 2020.
| Assessable Income for YA 2019 | Additional + Enhanced Cash Payments | Total Cash Payment | Payment in April 2020 | Payment in June 2020 |
| ≤ $28,000 | $300 + $900 | $1,200 | $600 | $600 |
| $28,000 to $100,000 | $300 + $600 | $900 | $600 | $300 |
| > $100,000 (Or owns more than 1 property) |
$300 + $300 | $600 | $600 | – |
How Resilience Budget aims to help Singapore curb COVID-19