1. What is the Computer Access Trust Fund?The
Computer Access Trust Fund, or CATF for short, provides financial assistance to students in special education schools who are from low-income families. It defrays the cost of buying computers and computer-related assistive technology for use at home.
This fund is administered by the Centre for Enabled Living, or CEL for short.
2. What are the eligibility criteria?Applicants must be Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents aged 4 to 18. They should be students with disabilities who are currently studying in special education schools, and referred by a social worker from their school.
They should be from low-income families with a net monthly household per capita income of $1,300 or less.
Applicants outside the age range of 4 to 18 will have their applications evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
3. How do I calculate my net monthly household per capita income?Take your total net monthly household income, divided by the number of persons in your household.
This final number should be $1,300 and below, in order for you to qualify for CATF.
4. What types of equipment can be purchased under this scheme?Computers and computer-related assistive technology for educational use at home can be purchased under this scheme.
5. How do I apply for this scheme?If you meet the eligibility criteria, you should approach a medical social worker from any hospital, a social worker from a Special Education School (SPED) to apply for the CATF. They will submit the
application form to CEL.
6. What documents do I need to submit?You need to submit:
• Social report or occupational therapy report
• Assessments or recommendations from therapists or relevant professionals
• Income statements and/or declarations - All household members and Applicant
• Bank Statement of Account – All household members and Applicant
• Photocopy NRIC/ Birth Certificate / Student pass (Front and Back) – All household members and applicant
• 3 quotations for devices that cost $3,000 and above, or 1 quotation for devices that cost less than $3,000
7. How much time is needed to process the application?The application will be processed and approved within 15 working days from the date of receipt of the application and all necessary documents.
8. How much financial assistance is each applicant eligible for?Funding will be provided for the once-off purchase of equipment that costs more than $100. The subsidy can be up to a maximum of 100% of the equipment’s cost price, and will be determined based on each applicant’s household income.
However, there must be no resale or transfer of ownership of the equipment purchased. The equipment must be used by the applicant for educational purposes at home.
9. How will the disbursement be made?CEL will issue a cheque made payable to the organisation that assisted the applicant in submitting the application. The social worker must ensure that the approved equipment was purchased and not any other device.
The social worker should also submit the receipt to CEL within 2 months upon notification of approval. CEL reserves the right to recover the subsidies, if the purchase invoice or receipt is not furnished and CEL did not receive prior notice from the applicant or social worker.