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FAQs
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Special Assistance Fund
  1. What is the Special Assistance Fund?
  2. What is assistive technology?
  3. What are the eligibility criteria?
  4. How do I calculate my net monthly per capita household income?
  5. How do I apply for this scheme?
  6. What documents do I need to submit?
  7. How much time is needed to process the application?
  8. How much financial assistance is each applicant eligible for?
  9. How will the disbursement be made?



1. What is the Special Assistance Fund?
The Special Assistance Fund, or SAF for short, provides low-income families with financial assistance in purchasing assistive technology or technical aids for mobility or rehabilitative purposes.

Low-income families who need to buy walking aids, wheelchairs or other equipment that enable persons with disabilities to be mobile or rehabilitate can apply for SAF to defray some of the costs incurred.

This fund is administered by the Centre for Enabled Living, or CEL for short.

2. What is assistive technology?
Assistive technology enables persons with disabilities to maintain or improve their functional capabilities, and supports their critical needs in daily living for mobility or rehabilitative purposes.

Some examples of assistive technology are:

•    Walking aids, such as crutches or walking frames
•    Wheelchairs, either manual or motorised
•    Special mattresses that prevent bed sores
•    Special seats, such as inserts for wheelchairs
•    Commodes, such as raised toilet seats for those with knee injuries
•    Prostheses
•    Breathing apparatus
•    Or any other assistive devices that aid daily living
 
3. What are the eligibility criteria?
Applicants must be Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents who have a net monthly per capita household income of $1,300 and below. They should be from low-income families who cannot afford to purchase equipment or retrofit their homes for mobility or rehabilitative purposes.

Applicants who quality for the Assistive Technology Fund, or any other fund administered by CEL for the same purpose, do not qualify for SAF.

4. How do I calculate my net monthly per capita household 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 SAF.

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 VWO, or Community Development Council to apply for the SAF. They will submit the application form to CEL.

Do note that the assistive technology device has to be recommended by an occupational therapist or doctor, and supported by a social worker.

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?
Each applicant will be granted up to $10,000 in funding in his/her lifetime, for the purchase of assistive technology devices for mobility or rehabilitative purposes. The funding cap may be adjusted based on the applicant’s need, as justified by the social worker and/or the therapist from the VWO or hospital.

The approved subsidy amount would be based on the applicant’s net household income.

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.
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