-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1. What is the ‘LTA Cares’ Fund about?
The
‘LTA Cares’ Fund was started by the National Council of Social Services (NCSS) in 1989. It was previously known as “The Taxi Subsidy Scheme” and aims to help working adults and students with physical disabilities from low income families who are dependent on taxis to commute to work in open employment or to mainstream schools.
Previously managed by NCSS, this Fund is now managed by The Centre for Enabled Living Ltd (CEL) from 1st October 2011.
2. What are the eligibility criteria for this Fund?
- Singapore or Permanent Residents from families with per cap household income of less than $1,400 per month
- Medically/professionally certified to be totally dependent on taxis for transportation to work or school
- Do not own any vehicle
- Do not use any other form of transportation services provided by the National Council of Social Services (NCSS) or its member VWOs
Working adults must be in or have been accepted for employment in open market. Students must be attending or have been accepted for attendance in mainstream schools.
3. What does the Fund cover?
The Fund will cover for journeys to and fro work or school on a monthly reimbursement basis. While ERP charges are reimbursable, taxi booking charges are
NOT covered by this Fund. Applicants may refer to the Handicapped Welfare Association (HWA) to enquire about the reimbursement for taxi booking charges or refer to their website at
www.hwa.org.sg or Tel no: 6254 3006.
4. Is the reimbursement granted in full?
Not necessarily. Applicants will be subjected to means testing to qualify for the subsidies.
5. How do I apply for this Fund?
If you fit the eligibility criteria mentioned above, please go to our website at www.cel.sg to download the application form (s). Applicants are requested to take note of the required documents needed to complete the application.
You may mail the completed application form and necessary documents to CEL’s mailing address at No. 7 Maxwell Road, #05-08, Annexe B MND Complex, Singapore 069111. Alternatively, you may fax to +65 6226 2366 or email to Schemes@cel.sg
6. When can my application be approved?
The turnaround time for processing your application is within 15 working days, subject to complete submission of all the necessary documents.
7. How do I know when my application is approved or rejected and if approved, what is the means test subsidy granted?
For approved cases, CEL will send a letter of approval to applicant with the amount of subsidy granted clearly stated on the letter. Approved cost based on the estimated cost per trip for both the peak and non-peak periods will also be indicated but the reimbursed amount will be made based on the actual taxi charge or the approved cost, whichever is lower.
Fare cards will also be sent to approved applicants. These are for the recording of all trips made and have to be countersigned by the taxi drivers at the end of each trip.
Fare cards will also be sent to approved applicants. These are for the recording of all trips made and have to be countersigned by the taxi drivers at the end of each trip.
8. What is the claims submission cut off date and how do I submit for the reimbursement?
All claims must be received by CEL by the 10
th of the month. Claims received after the 10
th of the month will be processed for the next month’s payment cycle.
Claims for all journeys must be recorded on the pre-printed fare cards provided and initialled by the taxi drivers. The completed fare cards must be duly signed by the Applicant. The taxi receipts should be neatly arranged (glued/attached) on a separate sheet of paper. Submission should be done on a monthly basis. Claims that are more than 2 months from the month of expenditure will be processed subject to CEL’s discretion and approval.
9. How is the payment made ie via GIRO etc?
CEL will reimburse via GIRO to the beneficiaries by end of the month.
10. Whom do I contact for enquiries?
Please contact +1800 8585 885 or email Schemes@cel.sg for all enquiries.
11. Do I need to re-apply for this Fund every year?
All approved cases that have been on the Fund for more than 6 months are reviewed on an annual basis (in December each year).
CEL will send a “Review Form” with a letter notifying approved beneficiaries of the review by November each year. All forms have to be returned within 3 weeks from the date of the notification letter, regardless of whether there are any changes to the family income or information.
Those who do not submit on time or submit incomplete form will have their disbursements withheld from January until the documents are completed.
Based on the new information submitted, CEL will update and re-compute the beneficiary’s per capita income and subsidy level. A letter to inform the beneficiaries of their new level of subsidy (if applicable) will be sent.
12. What happens if I do not have any claims for a period of time?
Approved cases that are inactive are usually terminated during our half-yearly review conducted in July each year. When the beneficiaries no longer meet the eligibility criteria and have not submitted their claims in the last 6 months, CEL will terminate the applications.
13.
Who are included when you compute the nett household income?
Household members would include family members living in the same household as the applicant (PWD).
14.
What do you mean by monthly nett household income?
Monthly nett household income is defined as the income for the whole household after deduction for CPF contribution. (Information must be supported by relevant documents like salary slips, CPF statements etc).
15.
If I am an odd job worker and do not have a pay slip to support my income, what do I submit in place of a pay slip to support an application?
You will have to sign a declaration form to declare your income earned. This form can be downloaded from www.cel.sg.
16.
I am a student and do not have a bank account to receive my reimbursement. May I use my parent’s or sibling’s account instead?
You may; the onus is on you to quote us the correct account information on the application form.
17.
I have been selected to go for a training programme before I start work. Can I apply for reimbursement for the taxi fares to and from the training Centre even though I have not officially started work?
Yes but this will be subject to justification and special approval by CEL Management.
18.
I have submitted an application using the old forms from the National Council of Social Services (NCSS). Will CEL reject the application?
To facilitate processing, CEL appreciates if all applications submitted from 1 October 2011 be made on the new revised forms. However, CEL will continue to accept the existing NCSS forms and fare cards till end of October 2011.
19.
How do I get approval to use Maxi cabs or London cabs?
To facilitate processing, CEL appreciates if all applications submitted from 1 October 2011 be made on the new revised forms. However, CEL will continue to accept the existing NCSS forms and fare cards till end of October 2011.
The fares for such bigger taxis are charged on flat rates and include booking charges. The booking charges will not be reimbursed.