Launch of $20 million CDC Vouchers Scheme (Tranche 2)

Mr Heng Swee Keng, Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies and Minister for Finance, together with Ms Low Yen Ling, Minster of State, Chairman of Mayors’ Committee and Mayor of South West District, Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng, Mayor of Central Singapore District, Mr Desmond Choo, Mayor of North East District, Mr Alex Yam, Mayor of North West District and Mr Fahmi Aliman, Mayor of South East District, as well as Mr. Yeo Hiang Meng, PBM, President of the Federation of Merchants’ Associations, Singapore (FMAS) and Mr Lim Hock Yu, Chief Executive Director of People’s Association (PA) launched the CDC Vouchers Scheme (Tranche 2) on Monday 25 January 2021 at Bedok Community Centre and visited some merchants at Bedok division.

As the CDC Vouchers Scheme (Tranche 1) was well-received by both residents and the participating merchants/hawkers, the CDCs had decided to roll out the CDC Vouchers Scheme (Tranche 2). This $20 million CDC Vouchers Scheme (Tranche 2) will benefit about 400,000 Singaporean households. Each eligible household will receive a notification letter together with the date of collection. The household member must bring along the notification letter and produce any one of the NRIC from the household to the designated Community Clubs/Centres, to collect $50.00 worth of CDC vouchers at $2 denomination from 8 February onwards. The CDC vouchers will expire on 30 September 2021.

The CDC vouchers are redeemable for food, essential goods and services at participating heartland merchant shops and hawker stalls displaying the CDC Voucher Decal island-wide from 8 February 2021 onwards. The CDCs are pleased to partner Government Technology Agency (GovTech) in the use of its DistributeSG application to facilitate the CDC Vouchers Scheme.

The CDC Vouchers Scheme is part of the $75 million grant announced by Mr Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies and Minister for Finance, at the Unity and Resilience Budgets 2020. Last year on 12 June, the five CDCs rolled out a $20 million CDC Vouchers Scheme (社理会生活补助券计划). Tranche 1 which had ended on 31 December 2020 had helped about 338,000 Singaporean lower-income households defray the cost of living and at the same time, supported more than 8,000 participating local merchants and hawkers at HDB estates / heartlands.

Quotes

Ms Low Yen Ling, Chairman of Mayors’ Committee and Mayor of South West District

Over the years, the CDCs have played a key role in connecting and partnering the community to coordinate efforts and mobilise resources to meet the needs of the vulnerable. It has been a challenging year since COVID-19 struck but we have fought hard together to keep our economy, lives and businesses in shape. This scheme will not only help residents defray their cost of living, the vouchers will also revitalise hawkers and local merchants as we unite to support each other. Despite being in Phase 3, there will be no let-up in our efforts, and the CDCs will continue to provide sustained support to the community and Singaporeans in need. Together, we can build a stronger and more resilient Singapore.