Correction of falsehood regarding woman who claimed to need urgent financial help but had no one to turn to

1. On 24 April 2022, Gilbert Goh published a Facebook post featuring an appeal he purportedly received from “A”, who claimed that there was “no one [she] can turn to” for help and that she needed urgent financial assistance for herself and her partner, as well as adult diapers, transportation, and food. Goh’s post gave the impression that “A” and her partner have not received any assistance from the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and other agencies. This is false.

Facts

2. “A” is known to MSF as Mdm A.

   • Mdm A has been receiving ComCare assistance from MSF since June 2015 without any pause in monthly assistance. Mdm A’s last ComCare assistance period was from December 2021 to April 2022, before the current renewal from May 2022 to August 2022. Also, her monthly assistance sum was increased from May 2022 onwards.

   • Her partner has been receiving ComCare assistance for various periods since June 2015. His last assistance period was from October 2021 to March 2022. It was renewed from April to September 2022.

3. Besides MSF, Mdm A and her partner also receive financial and non-financial help from other agencies and community partners, including the Agency for Integrated Care, MUIS (Islamic Religious Council of Singapore), Tan Tock Seng Hospital, THK Family Service Centre @ MacPherson and Home Nursing Foundation. Together, Mdm A and her partner are currently receiving more than $2,000 in financial assistance from MSF and other agencies each month. This includes cash, rental assistance, assistance for service and conservancy charges, utility assistance and Public Healthcare Assistance.

4. Mdm A had not reached out to MSF for additional help before the Facebook post was published.

5. The false statement in Goh’s post gives the impression that MSF and other agencies are not aware of, or are not doing anything about, Mdm A’s situation. This is not the case, and it is important to set the facts straight. Such false statements erode public trust and lead to misunderstanding about the support and assistance provided to families in need by MSF and other agencies.

6. MSF and other agencies are continuing to do our utmost to support and assist families who are in need. If members of the public come across individuals and families who require financial or social support, they may call the ComCare hotline at 1800-222-0000 or approach the nearest SSO or Family Service Centre (FSC).