As part of the support measures to help Singaporeans affected by Phase 2 (Heightened Alert), the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) has introduced the COVID-19 Recovery Grant – Temporary (CRG-T). Unlike the other measures such as the Job Support Scheme, the COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund or the Rental Support Scheme, this grant is meant for affected individuals (not businesses) across all sectors.
For freelancers / self-employed persons working in affected sectors (especially the hard-hit F&B, retail, sport and performing arts sectors), this is perhaps the best news since the suddenCOVID-19 Recovery Grant – Temporary announcement of closures and tightened safe management measures. Particularly of note for those working in the sport and fitness industry, the CRG-T replaces the Sport and Fitness SEP Support Fund component of the Sports Resilience Package.
Read Also: COVID-19 Recovery Grant (CRG): Are You Eligible And Alternative Support Measures If You Are Not
Eligible Individuals Can Receive Up To $700 Under The COVID-19 Recovery Grant – Temporary (CRG-T))
Both affected employees and self-employed persons can receive support under the CRG-T:
- Employees who are placed on involuntary NPL for at least one month can receive up to $700.
- Employees who face salary loss of at least 50% for at least one month can receive up to $500.
- Self-Employed Persons (SEPs) facing Net Trade Income (NTI) loss of at least 50% for at least one month, compared to their average monthly NTI in 2019 or 2020.
COVID-19 Recovery Grant – Temporary (CRG-T) Is A One-Off Assistance Compared To The COVID-19 Recovery Grant (CRG)
The COVID-19 Recovery Grant -Temporary (CRG-T) is a temporary scheme that is targeted at individuals affected by the sudden closures and revenue loss due to the tightened measures of Phase 2 (Heightened Alert). This grant complements the existing COVID-19 Recovery Grant (CRG) which has been in place since January 2021 to support individuals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In essence, the CRG-T only provides one month of support while the CRG provides 3 months of support for each tranche (up to a maximum of 2 tranches or a total of 6 months of support).
| COVID-19 Recovery Grant – Temporary (CRG-T) (from 3 Jun 2021 to 2 Jul 2021) | COVID-19 Recovery Grant (from 18 Jan 2021 to 31 Dec 2021) | |
| Employees who are unemployed due to retrenchment or involuntary contract termination | N.A. | Can receive up to $700 for 3 months |
| Employees placed on involuntary no-pay leave (NPL) | For at least 1 month: Can receive up to $700 one-off payout | For at least 3 consecutive months: Can receive up to $700 for 3 months |
| Employees who are facing salary loss of at least 50% | For at least 1 month: Can receive up to $500 one-off payout | For at least 3 consecutive months: Can receive up to $500 for 3 months |
| SEPs who are facing loss in their net trade income (NTI) of at least 50%, compared to their average monthly NTI in 2019 or 2020 | For at least 1 month: Can receive up to $500 one-off payout | For at least 3 consecutive months: Can receive up to $500 for 3 months |
COVID
As the grants are meant to be complementary, current recipients of the existing CRG are not eligible for the new CRG-T. However, you can receive the CRG-T if you have received the CRG in the past and are no longer receiving CRG support in June 2021.
In total, eligible individuals can receive up to 2 tranches of CRG (for a total of 6 months of support) and one tranche of support of CRG-T. This means that If you successfully applied for CRG-T, you can still apply for CRG in the future.
Eligibility Criteria For COVID-19 Recovery Grant – Temporary (CRG-T) Is Similar To The COVID-19 Recovery Grant (CRG)
| COVID-19 Recovery Grant – Temporary (CRG-T) (from 3 Jun 2021 to 2 Jul 2021) | COVID-19 Recovery Grant (from 18 Jan 2021 to 31 Dec 2021) | |
| Citizenship and Age | Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident, aged 21 and above | |
| Job / Income loss | – Involuntary NPL for at least one month; or – Salary loss of at least 50% for at least one month – Loss in NTI of at least 50% for at least one month, compared to average monthly NTI in 2019 or 2020, NPL/ salary loss/ income loss must have taken place between 16 May and 30 Jun 2021
|
– Involuntarily unemployed (due to retrenchment/contract termination); – Involuntary NPL for at least three months in a row; – Salary loss of at least 50% on average for at least three consecutive months from all jobs as a part-time or full-time employee (e.g. Jan – Mar 2021) Job loss/NPL/salary loss must have taken place after 23 Jan 2020 |
| Prior household income | Household income of not more than $7,800 or per capita household income of not more than $2,600 before job or income loss or involuntary NPL | |
| Annual Value (AV) of Property | Living in a property with AV not more than $21,000. Applicant should not own more than one property. | |
| Economically active | – Employees should have worked for at least six months cumulatively between January 2019 and December 2020. – SEPs should have declared annual NTI in either 2019 or 2020. Additionally, SEPs should provide supporting documents on their line of work. |
– Employees should have worked for at least six months cumulatively between January 2019 and December 2020. – SEPs should have declared annual NTI in either 2019 or 2020. Additionally, SEPs should provide supporting documents on their line of work. [For CRG renewal] SEPs should have no outstanding Medisave contributions or be committed to making contributions via a GIRO plan |
| Job search or training requirement | N.A. CRG-T does not require proof of job search or training | Show proof of active job search or training in the two months before application. This includes job applications, job interviews, coaching or training programmes. |
| Exclusion Criteria | Cannot be receiving assistance from: – COVID-19 Recovery Grant – ComCare Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance; – ComCare Long-Term Assistance; – Seafarers Relief Package; – COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund; – SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme – Company Training; – SGUnited Skills Package Cannot be Full-time National Servicemen at the point of application |
Cannot be receiving assistance from: – ComCare Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance; – ComCare Long-Term Assistance; – Seafarers Relief Package; – COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund; – SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme – Company Training; – SGUnited Skills Package Cannot be Full-time National Servicemen at the point of application |
*differences between the two schemes indicated in bold.
Apply For The COVID-19 Recovery Grant – Temporary (CRG-T) If You Do Not Meet The Criteria For Alternative Government Support Schemes
The CRG-T is meant to be temporary support. Essentially, it acts as an income supplement for individuals (e.g. fitness instructors affected by the gym closures, F&B workers affected by the cessation of dine-ins) who are hit by the sudden Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) tightened measures. Thus, the support given under the CRG-T is limited. If you are more severely affected by the pandemic, the CRG is probably a better option to apply under as it provides 3 months of support.
Likewise, other government support measures such as ComCare may provide more comprehensive support for those who need more assistance. Sector-specific support such as the COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund may also provide more support for eligible drivers.
Read Also: Needy Singaporeans’ Guide To ComCare Fund Public Assistance Schemes And Eligibility
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